Former Housekeeper Says Whitman Knew She Was Illegal Immigrant

LOS ANGELES (CNS) – A former housekeeper for Meg Whitman was “emotionally and financially abused” during her nine years of employment, an attorney alleged Wednesday, adding that the Republican gubernatorial candidate knew the woman was an illegal immigrant.

“In short it was a nightmare,” said attorney Gloria Allred, who said her client worked as a housekeeper for Whitman for nine years before she was fired last year.

Allred said that during the woman's years of employment, Whitman caused her “to feel exploited, disrespected, humiliated and emotionally and financially abused.”

“The relationship was terminated last year by Ms. Whitman for what appeared to be political reasons involving Ms. Whitman's decision to run for governor,” Allred said.

Allred contended that Whitman knew her client was an illegal immigrant, but kept her employed until she decided to run for governor.

Tom Hiltachk, Whitman's attorney, denied the allegation.

“This person was initially hired by Meg Whitman in November 2000,” Hiltachk said in remarks reported on the Los Angeles Times website. “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.”

Hiltachk said the woman admitted in June 2009 that she was not a legal resident.

“She was immediately suspended and terminated on June 29, 2009,” he said. Whitman spokeswoman Andrea Jones Rivera said Allred's news conference was politically motivated. She called Allred “a shameful manipulator” who is a supporter of Jerry Brown — Whitman's Democratic opponent in the hotly contested governor's race.

“With the polls tied, it comes as no surprise that the morning after a successful debate for Meg that the sleaze machine of the political left is now focused on the politics of personal destruction.”

Allred claimed the woman was not paid for all of the hours she worked, and said she would be filing a claim against Whitman.