Five women are suing the City of Chula Vista and a former cyber security specialist for the Chula Vista Police Department, accusing him of using artificial intelligence to turn photos of female colleagues into pornographic images. The civil complaint, filed this week, says the AI-altered pictures caused serious emotional distress and shook the women’s careers and personal lives. The plaintiffs are described in the filing as ranging in age from 24 to 39.
According to NBC 7 San Diego, the lawsuit names the former Cyber Security Network Specialist and the City, alleging that he stalked colleagues on social media to gather photos, then used city time and resources to run those images through AI tools. The complaint also claims he printed some of the manipulated pictures and kept hard copies on his desk. The suit lists accusations that include stalking, distribution of explicit materials, negligence and intentional infliction of emotional distress. Plaintiffs’ attorneys say they offered the City a chance to address the situation before going to court but were turned down, and city officials have declined to comment, citing the pending litigation.
Investigation, Internal Findings and Workplace Fallout
The complaint says an internal investigation began after printed images were discovered, leading to the uncovering of additional manipulated photos of female employees. The women have told their attorneys they fear long-term reputational harm, damage to future job prospects and the possibility that the images may have spread beyond the department. Their lawyers say the former employee is no longer on the police department payroll, and the suit seeks records that could show who had access to employee images and why internal safeguards did not prevent the alleged misuse.
How the Case Fits Into a Larger Legal Fight Over Deepfakes
Legal observers say the Chula Vista lawsuit is part of a broader wave of cases and policy fights involving nonconsensual AI-generated sexual images. California has taken steps to close gaps in its laws around computer-generated sexual imagery, and the San Francisco City Attorney has filed suit against websites that let users create nonconsensual deepfake pornography. Those efforts could influence how courts approach liability and remedies in cases like this, including what responsibility institutions may have when abuse allegedly happens on the job. The San Francisco City Attorney has publicly outlined some of the legal theories behind that push.
Experts Warn Easy AI Tools Raise New Workplace Risks
Security educators note that smartphones and consumer-grade AI apps have made it far easier to fabricate convincing, sexually explicit images. What once required specialized software and technical skills can now be done on a phone in a few taps. That shift turns co-workers’ social media photos into ready-made raw material for harassment and makes it harder for employers to detect or prevent abuse tied to work devices or work time. For more on how AI image tools are being used and regulated, see reporting from KQED.
What Plaintiffs Are Seeking and Next Steps
The plaintiffs say they want the lawsuit to reveal what, if any, vetting the City conducted when hiring the former employee and what level of access staff were granted to photos and internal systems. The complaint is pending in civil court, and city officials have again declined to comment while the case is active. It also remains unclear whether criminal authorities will open a related investigation.
