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This archival content was originally written for and published on KPCC.org. Keep in mind that links and images may no longer work — and references may be outdated.

KPCC Archive

Snapping nude pictures of people at the gym isn't just obnoxious, it might be illegal

LOS ANGELES, CA - MAY 14:  2015 Playmate of the Year Dani Mathers speaks onstage during Playboy’s 2015 Playmate of the Year Ceremony at the Playboy Mansion on May 14, 2015 in Los Angeles, California.  (Photo by Charley Gallay/Getty Images for Playboy)
Dani Mathers speaks onstage during Playboy’s 2015 Playmate of the Year Ceremony at the Playboy Mansion on May 14, 2015 in Los Angeles, California.
(
Charley Gallay/Getty Images for Playboy
)

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Playboy model Dani Mathers incited a furor with a photo she took and now the Los Angeles Police Department is investigating her actions.

Earlier this week, Mathers snapped a pic of a woman who was showering in an LA Fitness locker room. She posted the image of the naked woman on Snapchat along with the caption: "If I can’t unsee this then you can’t either."

The backlash for the 2015 Playmate of the year was swift and fierce. Users called her out for body shaming, invasion of privacy and all-purpose cruelty.

Mathers was banned from LA Fitness, which issued a statement on Twitter: "Her behavior is appalling & puts members @ risk. We ended membership & she can't use any club. It’s not just our rule, it's common decency."

The gym reported the posting to police and LAPD detectives are now investigating a report of "illegal distribution" of the image.

Officer Mike Lopez tells LAPD: "When something is brought to our attention, we have to go ahead and investigate and see if there was a crime committed. To me it sounds like in this particular case she took some pictures she shouldn't have. We're going to look into that."

If Mathers is charged with anything, it will probably be a misdemeanor.

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Mathers was also suspended indefinitely from KLOS, where she has been part of the "Heidi and Frank" morning radio show for years, according to TMZ.

She issued an apology on Snapchat: "That was absolutely wrong and not what I meant to do. I know that body-shaming is wrong. That is not the type of person I am." She claimed she took the picture as part of a private conversation and didn't mean to post it publicly. She has deleted her Twitter and Instagram accounts.

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