Meg Whitman knowingly employed illegal immigrant as maid, Gloria Allred charges

A former housekeeper for Meg Whitman claims the Republican governor candidate knew she was an illegal immigrant but continued to employ her, according to her attorney Gloria Allred.

Allred said Whitman caused the worker to  "feel exploited, disrespected, humiliated, and emotionally and financially abused." The worker alleges Whitman knew she was here illegally but did not act on it until she decided to run for governor last year.

Whitman attorney Tom Hiltachk told reporters Wednesday:  "This person was initially hired by Meg Whitman in November 2000. She filled out standard [Internal Revenue Service] forms and Department of Justice forms and presented her Social Security card and California driver's license. She filled out immigration forms that stated under penalty of perjury that she was a lawful resident."

Read full coverage on the Whitman immigration story throughout the day at PolitiCal, The Times' California politics blog.

Photo: Nicky Diaz Santillan, a former housekeeper for Meg Whitman, breakdown during a press conference at attorney Gloria Allred's office Wednesday. Credit: Irfan Khan / Los Angeles Times

 

Comments

[Luke]

Meg Whitman is as guilty and a sneak theft in the night..she knew all along that her maid was an illegal immigrant..she blamed the "misunderstanding" on her husband..social security called him and said there was a problem with her numbers..he called and left there maid a voice message to clear it up..NOT BUYING

[Dara]

This woman claims she is "coming out of the shadows". She seems to have no problem working at an excellent wage ($23/hour), her children are being educated at taxpayer expense, and she appears very well fed and healthy. I know several AMERICAN's that would love to receive that pay!! She also seems to have little fear of being prosecuted for her crimes of fraud, identity theft or illegal enty into the country. What shadows does she think she has been living in? An American citizen who had used forged documents and used a stoled ss# would certainly have already been charged with these crimes, but it appears being illegal makes one immune to charges.

On another note....Meg FIRED her after she "came forward" and told her she was here ILLEGALLY.

[San Francisco maids]

Now we know what happens to politicians who doesn't practice what the preach..they get caught and lose the election. This is a lesson for all of us, wha goes around comes around until you get hit.

[Santa Clarita housekeeper]

A very costly mistake by Whitman. I wonder if she will still run next election time.