Meg Whitman’s former housekeeper, Nicky Diaz Santillan, who worked for the politician for more than nine years, claims she was “exploited, disrespected, humiliated and emotionally and financially abused” since Whitman found out she was an undocumented worker. Whitman reportedly finally decided to fire Nicky when she launched her campaign for Governor of California.
Nicky, who is being represented by Gloria Allred, claims working for Whitman was a “nightmare” and said Whitman closed her eyes to her situation as an illegal worker because she was cheap help. Nicky was earning $23 per hour… wow! That doesn’t sound like cheap help at all. It sounds pretty expensive for an undocumented worker.
The truth is Whitman had no idea Nicky was illegal when she hired her. Nicky used fake documents and information to get a job. So what is so scandalous about Whitman finding out she was hiring an illegal worker and deciding to fire her? Whitman did what most respectable citizens would do.
And even if, in fact, Whitman closed her eyes when she discovered Nicky’s Social Security number did not match her name and decided to continue to hire Nicky’s services because she had been with her for years and wanted to help. Then, Whitman decided to launch her political campaign and realized she had to fire Nicky. What is the scandal here?
Nicky claims Whitman treated her “like a piece of garbage” by letting her go. Seriously? This woman is illegal in the country. What exactly did Nicky expect Whitman to do? If I was in Whitman’s shoes I’d do the same thing. Whitman’s camp has released legal documents proving Nicky lied to get a job.
Nicky, the housekeeper, stated under the penalty of perjury that she was a “lawful permanent resident” of the United States and she also provided a social security card and valid California Driver’s License with her employment application. Whitman also released the following statement explaining her version of events.
“After 9 years of faithful service, Nicky came to us in June 2009 and confessed that she was an illegal worker.” Whitman continues, “Nicky has falsified the hiring documents and personal information she provided to the employment agency that brought her to us in 2000.”
And, Whitman continues, “I believe Nicky is being manipulated by Gloria Allred for political and financial purposes during the last few weeks of a hotly contested election.”
Whitman concludes, “This is a shameful example of the politics of personal destruction practiced by people like Jerry Brown and Gloria Allred. The charges are without merit.”
Whitman is right on. This sounds like a dirty maneuver by Gloria Allred, who apparently supports Whitman’s opponent in the 2010 general election. When asked about Nicky’s probable deportation, Gloria stated her client did something very courageous, but she did not give a straight answer.
