Top defence man accused of planting camera in toilet

Details of indecent filming allegations against New Zealand’s former top military attache can now be reported, including DNA evidence the prosecution says it will use in the case.

It was revealed yesterday that Commodore Alfred (Fred) Keating was the Kiwi citizen charged with trying to make an intimate visual recording of another person at New Zealand’s embassy in Washington DC between July 26 and July 28 last year.

The naval attache was the most senior-ranked member of the New Zealand Defence Force (NZDF) in the US. The 58-year-old from Northland, who had a more than 40-year career, was the face of diplomacy, negotiating and strategy for the NZDF to US forces.

Keating is accused of planting a hidden camera in one of the embassy’s unisex bathrooms, which was later discovered by staff.

Court documents released by the High Court state that on July 27, 2017, a small camera was found, set to record movement, in a unisex bathroom on the third floor. It had been mounted in a heating duct in the bathroom to record people who used the toilet.

The prosecution alleges the camera was found about 1.30pm when it fell to the floor.

New Zealand Police travelled to Washington to investigate, and the camera was returned to New Zealand for forensic examination.

Court documents state that the analysis revealed someone activating the device about 9am on July 27.

It captured 19 images of people using the bathroom over five hours.

All of the people were wearing clothes. There were signs the camera had been in place for many months.

In New Zealand, police executed a search warrant while Keating was in the country in November last year.

No indecent images were found but the prosecution alleges Keating had installed driver software for the camera device on July 25. Keating’s DNA allegedly matched that found on the SD card in the camera.

Defence lawyer Graeme Newell entered a not guilty plea and elected trial by jury on Keating’s behalf at an earlier court appearance.

A spokesperson said Keating no longer worked for the Defence Force.

Keating is not related to New Zealand’s outgoing Chief of Defence Lieutenant General Tim Keating.