The heated race for governor of California has taken a dramatic turn. Meg Whitman has been accused by a former housekeeper of mistreatment. The former housekeeper, Nicky Diaz Santillan, claims that Whitman knew that she was an undocumented worker and illegal immigrant, but used this information to exploit Santillan. Santillan has now brought a claim against Whitman demanding compensation for lost wages.
Santillan worked for Whitman for nine years and said Whitman fired her after she came to her asking for help gaining legal status as a worker in the U.S. She says that Whitman threw her “away like a piece of garbage” when she asked for help after all those years.
Santillan had provided Whitman with false documents that said she could legally work in the U.S. Santillan’s attorney says, however, that information came to the Whitman household to suggest that Santillan was an illegal worker, including a government letter saying there might be a problem with her Social Security number.
Santillan’s attorney claims that Santillan’s nine years with Whitman were a “nightmare” during which she was “exploited, disrespected, humiliated and emotionally and financially abused.”
Whitman claims that she was shocked to find out that Santillan was working in the country illegally and says she believes her former “friend” is being manipulated for political purposes.
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Meg Whitman Housekeeper Nicky Diaz Santillan Claims Mistreatment, Unfair Termination (CBS News)