Whitman Campaign Calls Housekeeper Dispute a ‘Coordinated Political Attack’
- Posted on September 30, 2010 at 8:11pm by
Meredith Jessup
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Nicandra Diaz-Santillan
The race for California’s next governor is heating up as Democrat Jerry Brown and Republican Meg Whitman enter the last month of campaigning. But allegations from a high-profile Hollywood attorney claiming Whitman knowingly employed an illegal immigrant as a housekeeper from 2000-2009 threaten to derail the former business exec’s campaign as the finish-line approaches.
Nicandra Diaz-Santillan, the employee in question, has retained Gloria Allred to speak on her behalf — a discrimination and feminist attorney known for representing well-known and often controversial past clients, recently including two alleged mistresses of golfer Tiger Woods.
During a press conference Wednesday, Allred detailed her client‘s past experience working as a housekeeper in the Whitmans’ home, claiming she was “exploited, disrespected, humiliated, and emotionally and financially abused.” In June 2009, “Nicki” told reporters that she approached Whitman and confessed she was in the country illegally.
The LA Times reports:
“I told her I don’t have papers to work here and need her help,” the worker said at a press conference in attorney Gloria Allred’s office. Whitman’s husband “was very angry and said, ‘I told you, I told you she was going to bring us problems.’ Ms. Whitman turned to him and said, ‘Calm down, calm down.’ ” She said Whitman’s husband “yelled” at her. “I was crying for fear and intimidation. With a face full of tears, I told them, ‘I believe in people. And I believe people deserve a chance. I also told them I don’t wish them any harm. I just wanted their help.
In response, Meg Whitman offered an “absolute unequivocal denial” of the allegations that she knowingly employed an illegal worker and even agreed to a polygraph test. In a statement from her campaign, Whitman said she considered Diaz-Santillan as part of her extended family:
After nine years of faithful service, Nicky came to us in June 2009 and confessed that she was an illegal worker. Nicky had falsified the hiring documents and personal information she provided to the employment agency that brought her to us in 2000. Nicky told me that she was admitting her deception now because she was aware that her lie might come out during the campaign. Nicky said she was concerned about hurting my family and me.
As required by law, once we learned she was an illegal worker, I immediately terminated Nicky’s employment. It was one of the hardest things I’ve ever done. I considered Nicky a friend and a part of our extended family.
Whitman also speculated that “Nicky” may be being manipulated by Allred and her gubneratorial opponent, Jerry Brown:
Meg Whitman and her husband, Griff Harsh
I am deeply worried about Nicky and her family. I believe Nicky is being manipulated by Gloria Allred for political and financial purposes during the last few weeks of a hotly contested election. This is a shameful example of the politics of personal destruction practiced by people like Jerry Brown and Gloria Allred.
Allred is widely known as a supporter of the Democratic Party and has donated money to Brown’s campaign. But Allred denied the allegation:
“No one from Jerry Brown’s campaign has contacted me, I haven’t contacted them. As far as my client goes Nicky doesn’t know anyone in politics, was not contacted by the Brown campaign, she didn’t contact them,” Allred said. “The only person she knows in politics is Meg Whitman and Meg Whitman is the one who has political motivation to lie and she has the agenda to try to cover this up. Our evidence will show she is lying.”
Allred’s alleged “evidence” is a 2003 “no-match“ letter from the Social Security Administration that shows ”Nicki” was an undocumented worker, and also claims Diaz-Santillan had seen multiple letters in the Whitmans’ trash from the government. On Thursday, Allred presented a letter which seemed to show a handwritten note from Whitman’s husband, instructing Diaz-Santillan to “look into” a “no-match” letter from the Social Security Administration.
But Whitman denies ever having seen a letter from the government and insists the couple terminated the housekeeper’s employment when she learned of her illegal status.
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Comments (133)
USMCRETIRED2001
Posted on September 30, 2010 at 10:40pmOh and Nikki, start the deportation procedures immediately. Whats she still doing here..Lets see her clean houses in Mexico and make more than 2.5 pesos per hour. Hasta por siempre baby!
Report Post »EqualJustice
Posted on September 30, 2010 at 10:52pmWonder how much this girl is being paid? She is an admitted FELON, so you know she LIES right off the bat. IS she trying for AMNESTY? I know, she can now get asylum like BO’s Auntie Zeituni.
Report Post »nostromo
Posted on September 30, 2010 at 10:26pmA little early for an October surprise. If Whitman is telling the truth she has time to get her story out. Here’s hoping she is and is able to use this “hit” against both Allred and Diaz-Santillan. Regardless, it sounds like the illegal housekeeper wanted the billionaire to grease her way to legality and when she got canned instead decided on revenge with the possibility of instant riches and notoriety. She may end up like Cindy Sheehan, abandoned the minute her usefulness is up wandering around America babbling nonsense to whomever will listen.
Report Post »Iluvmycountry
Posted on September 30, 2010 at 10:17pmOkay, here’s my problem with this situation. You are in this country illegally, making three times the minimum wage, using a relative’s SS#, you get caught, lose your job and YOUR STILL HERE? Why wasn’t she deported? And how much is she being $$$$ to smear Meg Whitman? Gloria Allred needs to be arrested for harboring illegal aliens and penalized BIG TIME. Sad when you can‘t win on your own values and belief’s that you have to sling mud. If I too lived in CA I’d be voting for her!
Report Post »LadyIzShy
Posted on September 30, 2010 at 10:02pmdid the absentee voter forms just get mailed out in CA? who wonders about THAT timing?we all know nothing will happen to the Illegal and that GA is just a pnadering fool who is trying to change the tide in this election. I doubt it will have the effect she thought.. id LOVE a job at 23 dollars an hour..Hey Meg ya hiring?
Report Post »RightPolitically
Posted on September 30, 2010 at 9:58pmHow perfectly poetic it would be if an illegal alien in California to bring down a candidate running for governor. Not that I wish for Meg Whitman to lose to Jerry Brown, heck no! But this event just goes to show US that Mexico runs America! As for this woman’s liar, I mean “lawyer,” Gloria Allred, she’s a lefty bottom-feeder who KNOWS NO SHAME!
Report Post »cop4hire
Posted on September 30, 2010 at 9:43pmHere is another shock. Gloria Allred is a huge contributor to Jerry Browns election. That fact alone should be part of the headlines.
Report Post »vonryansexpress
Posted on September 30, 2010 at 9:42pmErrata: ‘vandalism’.
Report Post »vonryansexpress
Posted on September 30, 2010 at 9:34pmMy Twitter thoughts on this electoral vandalisim by Allred.
Waxy, aging, lawress Allred tries cotton mouth ankle bite to Meg Whitman leaving all to wonder why Mr. Brown needs Allred’s help?
When maids have it made! $23.00 an hr. for Meg Whitman’s part time domestic is geometric money for labor, brown, white or legal.
Housekeeper in attack on Meg Whitman by Allred coming off like O.J. Simpson trial derailer Rosa Lopez. Zero Credibility.
Allred compares Whitman housekeeper to Rosa Parks! More like Rosa Lopez of O.J. debacle. How insulting by Allred to black voters.
“Lie in the small things. lie in the large ones.” Allred’s claim that SSA document tarnishes Whitman came from housekeeper forger!
Report Post »EAGLEMOM
Posted on September 30, 2010 at 9:29pmIs Nikki being charged with any crime or being deported? Whose SSN did she steel and use? Is anyone looking into the employment agency that did not verify the SS# and sent Nikki to Ms. Whittman? Meg Whittman paid her well and apparently treated her well. At the very worst, she found out, after years of employment, via the SS letter, that Nikki was illegal and didn’t want to fire her out of compassion.
Report Post »Question with BOLDness
Posted on October 2, 2010 at 4:02amGood points… but when the letter came (I believe 2003) the husband gave Nikki the letter and said “Take care of it” cause he didn’t understand it (The Whitmans were under the impression she was legal as she had told them 3 years earlier)…. Nikki came to them in 2009 and told them she was illegal because Meg was going to run for politics. Nikki had been with them 9 yrs at that point, but they still let her go when they found out.
Report Post »cheezwhiz
Posted on September 30, 2010 at 9:22pmSo right now , Gloria Allred is harboring and transporting an illegal alien, right ?
Report Post »CanIGetABreak
Posted on September 30, 2010 at 9:28pmAlso, most likely a felon. The whole identity theft. Falsifying a social security card. Obtaining a drivers licence illegally. Possibly filing fraudulant taxes.
Report Post »EqualJustice
Posted on September 30, 2010 at 9:18pmThis is what the liberals do BEST. Gloria Allred accomplice to Democratic criminals. She has pulled this crap before. WOW are they desperate, or WHAT? I hope they send this ILLEGAL ALIEN HOME!
Report Post »Gigantopithecus
Posted on September 30, 2010 at 9:16pmIf I was an illegal I would be very mad at Nicki and Allred, for bringing wrath upon illegals everywhere.
Report Post »otoko
Posted on September 30, 2010 at 9:13pmLook close at the picture and the video! I don’t see any tears even though she keeps wiping her eyes.
Report Post »Gigantopithecus
Posted on September 30, 2010 at 9:01pmIt would be worth voting for Whitman, just so she can personally put this POS on the next bus to Nicaragua, and go after Allred’s law license for fraud and extortion.
Report Post »Waiting4George
Posted on September 30, 2010 at 8:58pmThe truth will come out. In the meantime, my guess is those in the unemployment line have zero sympathy for Nicky(and likely putting in an app for her job) and those who already hate rich( She has a housekeeper. I don’t. I’m a have not. Time to rally) white conservative people will lie for her.
Report Post »RobertCA
Posted on September 30, 2010 at 8:47pmGloria Allred was even assisting Nicky in walking , Nicky can’t even walk on her own anymore !!!!!!!!!!!!!
Report Post »So wich one is it Dems ? the secretary of Labor Hilda Solis said Documented or NOT you have the right to work & get paid or should Nicky be deported ?
GO MEG GO !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
SCARY
Posted on September 30, 2010 at 8:41pmI just can’t stand this anymore .I feel like I’m watching a bad movie plot.But no, this is our damn country.I wish Mrs Alred would find herself……..ya know what,I’m not gonna say it.Hate this …RRRAAAAAaaahhhhhhh!!!!!’!!!!
Report Post »cheezwhiz
Posted on September 30, 2010 at 8:36pmOMG !!!!
Report Post »an illegal mexican in Atherton lied and used forged DL and SS card and now cries on cue on TV with the mediahoore Allred by her side…you know what we should do with a 40 billion dollar CA deficit ? Lets vote Jerry Brown for Governor.
restless 1
Posted on September 30, 2010 at 8:36pmYup, the timing of this stinks. That GA is involved only lends credence to Whitman’s claim.
If Nicki doesn’t know anyone, how did she contact GA? Or did GA seek Nicki out. She’d be better of dealing with ICE than this piranha Allred.
Report Post »Gigantopithecus
Posted on September 30, 2010 at 8:33pmThis is what the Dems have in store for America people – illegals suing employers because they were “underpaid” at $23 an hour. How about instead we throw Nicki’s *** in prison for using a false Social Security Number, and disbar Allred for aiding and abetting a known criminal.
Report Post »RightPolitically
Posted on September 30, 2010 at 10:49pmNow that’s an idea!
Report Post »RightPolitically
Posted on September 30, 2010 at 10:52pmYeah! And I can just see Holder now, cuffs in hand, coming for The Nikki and Gloomy Gloria….fat chance!
Report Post »old guy in SC
Posted on September 30, 2010 at 8:29pmI smell a rat. Oh, it’s Gloria Allred. Sorry Jerry, I knew Edmond G. and you Sir are no Edmond G.
Report Post »CatB
Posted on October 1, 2010 at 2:03amLook at the poor mistreated ILLEGAL ALIEN .. I understand that she was getting paid $23 an hour (minimum wage was $7!) before they found out she was a CRIMINAL! Poor thing to be taken advantage of like that …NOT! Why is she still in the country?!
Report Post »Gigantopithecus
Posted on September 30, 2010 at 8:24pmIt is obviously a co-ordinated attack from a sleazy Demwit ambulance chaser and an ungrateful backstabbing illegal. At worst Whitman and her husband were simply covering for this overpaid backstabber, and this is the thanks they get. I say we put Diaz on the first bus to Tijuana. I guess nobody told “Nicki” the Demwits have about a month before they are wiped out from office nation-wide, and there is an anti-illegal tidal wave headed her way. Adios backstabbing Nicki!!!!
Report Post »FreedomOfSpeech
Posted on September 30, 2010 at 8:17pmOh, Missie Meg no treat me so nice. She only pay me $23 an hour and I needy more for my fam-i-ly.
Report Post »Independent Tess
Posted on September 30, 2010 at 8:37pmYes, $23 per hour is quite abusive.
Report Post »I need someone to abuse me like that!
cheezwhiz
Posted on September 30, 2010 at 8:46pmThis illegal mexican should be investigated if she is using her anchor babies to get welfare and food-stamps while she is using forged SS# and DL to get tax refunds on her W2 filings.
Report Post »CanIGetABreak
Posted on September 30, 2010 at 9:14pmWhere is the justice department. If Meg Whitman and the Employment Agency have documents from “Nikki” that are forged this needs to be looked into. “Nikki” broke the law if she gave them false documents. She broke contract, committed fraud, and identity theft. Did she file taxes with a false social security number? Did she get a drivers licence with a fraudulantly obtained social security card? These are felonies that need to be looked into.
Report Post »USMCRETIRED2001
Posted on September 30, 2010 at 10:37pmYeah, the housekeeper was “abused”?? $23 an hour. Worked there for 9 years? Hired through an agency whose responsibility it was to do the background check. NO BUENO !! Gloria Allred involved, you think this housekeeper sought HER out? Can you say dirty politics ..
Report Post »The bottom line is, California is one screwed up state and a multi millionaire who knows how to run a business is exactly what they need. If not, the Taxpayers will be bailing this state out to the tune of about 20 billion dollars !!!! I just dont mean CA taxpayers.. ALL of US..
FreedomOfSpeech
Posted on September 30, 2010 at 8:17pmPure political hit job. Once that lawyer is involved, you know it’s a circus.
Don’t let the Obama administration get away with burning books.
Video here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AT0qgjxJyRA
These guys are trying to silence truth through the media and now they are actually burning books. This is the scariest story I’ve read in my lifetime.
Report Post »grandmaof5
Posted on September 30, 2010 at 9:36pmI wish I lived in CA so I could vote for Meg Whitman. Looks like a page out of the Obama book of politics. You go, girl!!!!!
Report Post »american1st
Posted on September 30, 2010 at 11:47pmi don’t like meg but she is without question the lesser of two evils candidate, and as such she has my vote,
California is so behind the times that “the lesser of two evils” is the best we can do, she shouldn’t be surprised at getting old school political attacks against her, its the kind of ugly politics/games she herself has been playing .
her best qualification for office is “she isn’t Jerry” and for now that will have to be enough..,
pray she can win, and pray she can do some good if she gets in,
i would be surprised if she was not in the wrong on this issue, i suspect its pure politics, but either way it shouldn‘t change anyone’s mind on voting for her she is still the best of a bad lot.
Report Post »loveoursoldiers
Posted on October 1, 2010 at 7:23amgrandmaof5.. that is exactly what I was thinking.. my imagined scenario goes like this: the king says to take Whitman down anyway you can..a scandal is always best..works like a charm.. and make sure they can’t trace it back to me ( your king)…after all I need CA to remain king.. plus I need the $$$ support from all the rich people in CA ( the rich people I like ONLY because they help keep me king.. otherwise I’d throw them under the bus in a heartbeat) Oh, yeah.. and tell Timmy to make sure when the taxes on the “rich” go up.. that “friends” in CA get overlooked.. ya know.. kinda like he overlooked his own tax bill ! That was funny.. and the stooopid Americans actually bought that excuse… stooopid like that Cambridge cop. But I digress.
Report Post »Now back to me.
It’s great being king.. I can just order people around and do anything that I want ( golf, parties, vacation)with all the resources of this great country and not even have to work at all. Let me be clear ( points finger and turns head to the side with chin high in the air)…for the first time in my adult life I see the greatness of this country… I mean as long as I’m king of course… which I can pretty much count on ( wink wink). After all I am the one they have been waiting for. This notion of elections every 4 years has got to go.. that darn constitution gets in my way… hey.. maybe we can burn that with the next rogue book burning. GTG.. I hear the most beautiful sound I have ever heard calling me to…………………….
karij
Posted on October 1, 2010 at 9:47am@grandmaof5- apparently you never saw this: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iSn37TMXZO8
Report Post »688boat
Posted on October 1, 2010 at 12:42pmMuch as I hate to be the bearer of ill tiding here Meg Whitman and her husband must have known that the housekeeper was an illegal. That being said the housekeeper also broke a law so why isn’t anybody being prosecuted? I was a supporter of Meg Whitman before this but I can’t condone breaking the law for the convenience of saving a few dollars by hiring an illegal. OH, she knew alright. Do the right thing now and drop out of the race. No promotions, no elevation of status. Just do the right thing and withdraw.
Report Post »Question with BOLDness
Posted on October 2, 2010 at 3:50amSounds like 688Boat is a Jerry Brown plant…. if you supported her before, there‘s no reason why you shouldn’t now. She hired her through an agency and she made copies of her SSN and drivers license. And everyone who is making this an issue of hiring an illegal… what about the rest of the country where they DON’T go after the employers? Is this a convenient time to start?
I personally say go after illegals and employers who hire them, but in this case I feel Meg did all she should’ve done. And Gloria Allred is just a media hound – no credibility. I love how Mark Levin tore into her
Report Post »Question with BOLDness
Posted on October 2, 2010 at 3:53amPLUS…. she paid her $23 an hour!! I wish I could make that kind of money and I’m LEGAL!!!
Report Post »cheezwhiz
Posted on September 30, 2010 at 8:16pmHow come Loretta Sanchez is not campaigning with this “ Nicki” ?
Report Post »Sicboy
Posted on September 30, 2010 at 8:28pmYou ever herd the joke about a thousand dead lawyers at the bottom of the ocean? Well G. Alredd would be número uno on my list. She is a “media wh@$e. But, Miss Whitman did get a letter saying her “helps” SSN was no bueno. A little Spanish lingo. Again we have a person saying one thing about illegal immigration. And living a different way. Will a real Conservative please step forward.
Report Post »cheezwhiz
Posted on September 30, 2010 at 8:53pm@ Sicboy
Report Post »Do you have any idea how the ” no match SS#” process works ?
Take a look at the “ no match” letter SSA sent about this woman’s SS#.
Sicboy
Posted on September 30, 2010 at 10:01pmYou want some Whine with that cheesewiz? you sound like a typical sniveling dem making excuses about everything. Bottom line. She should have protected herself and her family by doing a background check. Its not like she didn’t have the money to do it. Lazy, incompetent what ever. She was responsible. NO EXCUSES!
Report Post »cheezwhiz
Posted on September 30, 2010 at 10:16pm@ Sicboy
Report Post »This woman was hired through an employment agency.
Lets see how Allred spins that fact to turn tricks.
JKN
Posted on October 1, 2010 at 7:08amYes, and Ms. Whitman does not agree with Prop. 187 – Arizona‘s new law to enforce the immigration laws the federal government won’t enforce…
I’m not impressed with either Meg Whitman (Big Corporate Gal) or Jerry Brown (Big Union Guy)… Wish we could have a real choice in California.
Report Post »karij
Posted on October 1, 2010 at 9:37amwe do have a choice. Look up Chelene Nightengale
Report Post »Love Bandit Bestid
Posted on October 1, 2010 at 10:50amjerry brown and allred in cahoots.
Report Post »Vegas511
Posted on October 1, 2010 at 12:29pmWhat I find incredibly interesting is that Jerry Brown land (San Francisco) is essentially a sanctuary city for illegal immigrants. I guess it’s ok for people to come here illegally but not ok for them to work.
Report Post »Why don‘t we address the real issues in the governor’s race.
collcw
Posted on October 1, 2010 at 1:42pmOne question…Since the housekeeper is an ‘illegal’, was she paying taxes on her $23 an hour pay?
Report Post »If not, would that be similar to someone earning $35-$40 and hour? Not bad pay for a housekeeper. I don‘t think I’d be complaining or threatening lawsuits. Hmmmm…I wonder if she has been compensated at a higher rate for her ‘tale’. Is Ms. Whitman hiring? Where can I get an application?
AnnMarie
Posted on October 1, 2010 at 9:08pmWas this illegal paying her taxes on the 23.00 per hour salary? This is so pathetic.
Report Post »Question with BOLDness
Posted on October 2, 2010 at 3:39amThats not true, it wasn’t that there was anything wrong with it (SSN)…. actually the letter said that she could NOT fire her over the letter or there would be legal repricussions… (sp?)
Report Post »