Lisa Lewis, 44, has launched a civil lawsuit in the Supreme Court of Victoria against Victoria Police, alleging that police officer Sam Hansen used state CCTV surveillance systems to track her movements during their relationship.
Hansen, 43, is scheduled to appear in Wyndham Magistrates' Court on Wednesday. He faces criminal charges of accessing and sharing police information following an official police complaint filed by Lewis in April 2025.
Lewis, an OnlyFans performer, engaged law firm Robinson Gill to represent her in the civil action. The firm is known for handling cases involving alleged police misconduct, prison misconduct, and other abuses of state power.
A statement of claim lodged with the court alleges that Hansen was an active member of Victoria Police in 2024 when his relationship with Lewis soured. On New Year's Day last year, Hansen allegedly showed Lewis live CCTV footage of Geelong on his phone or laptop using Victoria Police information systems.
Lewis further claimed Hansen used police surveillance cameras to watch her while she attended an event on Southbank in Melbourne. The writ stated that "Hansen communicated his surveillance of the Plaintiff to her at the time of the unauthorised surveillance."
The couple had met up after a gala ball, where Lewis mentioned she was worried about running late due to red traffic lights. Hansen then allegedly showed her CCTV videos on his phone of her driving that same evening. The couple ended their relationship soon afterwards.
Legal claims and police response
Lawyers for Lewis claim Hansen's alleged behavior caused her to suffer an injury for which the State of Victoria should compensate her. Court filings state that "the Unauthorised Sharing and the Unauthorised Surveillance were performed without authorisation and for no proper function associated with Hansen’s duties," adding that his actions were contrary to his training.
The statement of claim further asserts that "the Unauthorised Surveillance was in the purported discharge of Hansen’s duty as a police officer and was done maliciously with the intention to breach the Plaintiff’s privacy, to harm or harass the Plaintiff, and to cause the Plaintiff mental distress or with reckless indifference to same." Her legal team criticized Victoria Police for what it described as a "breach of its duty of care" and a failure to properly supervise its officers and agents while seeking damages.
While under investigation, Hansen was stood down from normal duties and transferred to a different unit before being charged eight months later. A Victoria Police spokesperson said on Tuesday, "In relation to the writ, as the matter is before the court, it is not appropriate for us to comment." The spokesperson added, "The member is currently transferred to other duties."
Relationship history and complaint
Lewis told the Daily Mail in June that she first met Hansen on Tinder in November 2024 before they began dating. She said she was smitten with the officer after he took her to high-end restaurants. "I was attracted to him, he was tall and I liked that, and our life goals like marriage and so forth aligned," she said.
Lewis said she disclosed her background to Hansen on their very first date. "On our first date I was very honest about my life and what I do for a living," she said. "I am a sex worker so I wanted him to know that." She said Hansen replied that he had seen a lot as a police officer, so her work did not bother him.
The relationship progressed quickly, with Hansen showering her with gifts and sharing details about his work life. After discovering the alleged surveillance, Lewis made an official complaint to Hansen's superiors. However, after waiting months without action, she feared police chiefs were not taking the matter seriously and said she had no choice but to report him to authorities.
Public notoriety and past controversies
Lewis first gained public notoriety in 2006 after streaking at an All Black rugby test match in New Zealand. She later sold the bikini she wore during the stunt on Trade Me, a Kiwi auction and classifieds website. She subsequently vowed never to streak again when she ran for mayor.
Following her rugby stunt, Lewis made international news and became New Zealand's first topless newsreader on the defunct Alt TV channel. In 2023, she made news in the Northern Territory of Australia after accusing its police department of discrimination, claiming officials rejected her application to join the force because of her work as an adult performer.
