Winnipeg chiropractor gets conditional discharge in voyeurism case involving hidden cameras found in office

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A Winnipeg chiropractor who pleaded guilty to voyeurism after eight of his patients were recorded by cameras disguised as sprinkler heads was given a conditional discharge Wednesday, in a case a judge said involved “an extraordinary mistake in judgment.”

Robert Stitt, 67, was charged with eight counts of voyeurism after police executed a search warrant at Natural Wellness Chiropractic Centre, which Stitt owned, and seized electronic devices and cameras concealed in ceiling tiles, an agreed statement of facts submitted to court said.

Stitt pleaded guilty in October to one of those charges, which involved videos recorded from late 2023 to early 2024, while the other charges were stayed. The identities of the patients are protected by a publication ban.

Prosecutor Boyd McGill and defence lawyer Richard Wolson agreed during Stitt’s sentencing Wednesday that the recordings were not made for a sexual purpose. 

When asked why the cameras were installed, Wolson said there had been “some incidents of theft” at Stitt’s practice and that the area where the videos were recorded was an overflow room not usually used to see patients.

“He just didn’t alert himself to the fact that there was a camera there,” Wolson said.

The statement of facts said similar cameras were found in other areas of the office, including the front lobby. 

The camera seized from a treatment room in the chiropractor clinic, seen in the agreed statement of facts submitted to court. (Manitoba courts)

Court also heard Stitt was the one who told authorities about the hidden cameras, after two investigators from the Manitoba Chiropractors Association came to his clinic in January 2024 to investigate an unrelated complaint involving Stitt and a former patient.

Stitt told the investigators working on that case that he had video of the incident in question, “which he believed would exonerate him,” McGill read from the agreed statement. Stitt also said that he had multiple cameras in his office, including in a patient treatment room.

The investigators from the association contacted police, who ended up finding recordings of eight patients taken while they were in a private room changing into a gown for treatment. One of the patients’ breasts were exposed, while others were in varying stages of undress. None knew about the cameras, the agreed facts said. 

“This is quite a different situation in that … it’s clear that this was not done for a sexual purpose,” Manitoba provincial court Judge Timothy Killeen said, calling Stitt’s case “a very misguided attempt to deal with potential theft.”

“This is not a situation where, in my view, some penalty involving a greater punishment should be imposed to deter you,” Killeen said as he accepted the lawyers’ joint conditional discharge recommendation.

“My guess is that, from everything that I’ve read and heard, you have already suffered profound consequences, both professionally and personally. You have taken into account the harm that you have caused. And no further penalty, in terms of a deterrence, is required.”

Remains suspended ahead of disciplinary process

Stitt, who had been a chiropractor in Manitoba since 1990, was suspended because of the case and is not currently practising, court heard. 

In an emailed statement Wednesday, chiropractors association executive director Dana Forster confirmed Stitt is still suspended and not authorized to practise in Manitoba. 

Now that court proceedings have ended, Stitt’s case will proceed through the regulator’s formal disciplinary process. Forster said those proceedings are confidential and that the association could not comment further.

Prosecutor McGill said Stitt has taken a number of steps since being charged — which court heard included going to counselling — that “provide at least the Crown with comfort that we’re not dealing with someone who is a sexual predator.”

Stitt, who court heard is married with four children, briefly apologized for his actions when given the chance to address the court. 

His conditional discharge period lasts for a year, during which time he will have to keep the peace and be of good behaviour.

“I can’t imagine there’ll be any difficulty in him doing that,” Wolson said. “His next hurdle is going to be professionally.”