Found what looks like a hidden camera in my Airbnb, confronted the host, now he's threatening to sue ME for "destruction of property."
Stayed at an Airbnb in St. Pete last weekend with my girlfriend. Second night there she noticed a small hole in the wall of the bedroom behind what looked like a decorative clock. I pulled it off the wall and there was a small camera inside pointed directly at the bed. I yanked the whole thing out.
I immediately reported it to Airbnb and they suspended the listing. Filed a report with local police too. But now the host somehow has my contact info and has been texting me saying I "destroyed his personal property" and that he plans to take me to small claims for the cost of the device.
I have a little bit saved up but theres no way im letting this guy shake me down after what he did. I have photos of the camera in the wall before I removed it and screenshots of all his texts.
Can he actually sue me for this? And is what he did just a civil thing or is this criminal? Asking because the officer who took my report was kind of vague about next steps.
Location: Florida