An Australian junior doctor at the center of a major invasive privacy scandal that rocked multiple leading Melbourne hospitals has confirmed his intention to enter a guilty plea, a local court has confirmed.
Ryan Cho, 29, was first taken into custody in July 2024 after staff at Melbourne’s Austin Hospital discovered a hidden mobile phone recording device inside an employee bathroom. Following his arrest, law enforcement officers executed a search warrant at Cho’s residence, where they seized multiple personal electronic devices. On these devices, investigators allegedly uncovered thousands of illicit intimate images of medical staff, organized by victim name and affiliated hospital, dating back to 2021.
The alleged victims of Cho’s secret recordings work across three major Melbourne healthcare facilities: the Austin Hospital, the Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, and the Royal Melbourne Hospital. Police have previously stated in court filings that hundreds of people were captured on camera while using the toilet or showering in the facilities’ employee restrooms, resulting in more than 900 separate criminal charges being filed against Cho after his arrest.
Appearing before the Melbourne Magistrates Court on Friday afternoon, Cho covered his face with a face mask during the brief procedural hearing. Magistrate Michelle Mykytowycz told the court that the case has progressed to a guilty plea arrangement, though negotiations over the final number of charges that will go on the official record remain ongoing. “The matter’s resolved to a plea of guilty, it’s how the charges are going to be dealt with that remains under discussion,” Mykytowycz said.
Kristina Kothrakis, Cho’s defense lawyer, confirmed that discussions between her legal team and prosecutors are continuing to finalize the scope of charges for the guilty plea. Prosecutors are currently in the process of contacting all alleged victims to inform them of the upcoming plea deal, per court instructions.
Cho is scheduled to reappear before the Melbourne Magistrates Court on July 9, when he is expected to formally enter his guilty plea. Following the plea, the case will be transferred to the County Court of Victoria for sentencing proceedings.