CUPERTINO - Today, the San Francisco Chronicle published an editorial in response to the false and ridiculous accusations made by notorious Attorney Gloria Allred at a press conference this morning. Read the whole editorial below:
San Francisco Chronicle: Campaign Stunt: A Bunch Of Garbage
Editorial
"What did Meg Whitman know and when did she know it?" publicity hound attorney Gloria Allred asked Wednesday. It was a savvy close to a news conference at which client Nicandra Diaz Santillan, who worked as a housekeeper for Whitman, alleged that Whitman knew that she was an illegal immigrant, then fired her in 2009 as she prepared to run for governor.
Turns out, there are reasons to believe that Whitman did not know that Diaz was illegal when she hired her in 2000.
The campaign released copies of the Social Security card and immigration eligibility verification form presented by Diaz when she was hired. By Allred's account, these documents are phony. Having exhibited a willingness to fake legal status, the housekeeper's credibility is damaged.
I've known smart people who thought they were following the law in demanding documentation, only to find out later that they were duped.
In this case, Diaz also presented a driver's license. DMV spokesperson Jan Mendoza tells me, "It was a valid driver's license." California did not require proof of legal residence until 1994. Diaz got her first license in 1991.
To any voter who ever has hired a nanny, gardener or housecleaner, this would appear to be due diligence - especially for a 15-hour per week job that, according to Diaz, paid $23 per hour.
This story goes to the heart of the dilemma that faces Californians who welcome legal immigrants, but also believe in respecting federal law. What was Whitman supposed to do, not trust Diaz because she has an accent?
Allred repeated Whitman's assertion during Tuesday night's gubernatorial debate: "We do have to hold employers accountable for hiring only documented workers. And we do have to enforce that law."
That's why, Whitman says, she fired Diaz when she realized she was illegal.
At the press conference, Diaz complained that she felt as if, after nine years' service, Whitman "was throwing me away like a piece of garbage."
Whitman called firing Diaz "one of the hardest things I've ever done."
What proof does Allred have that Whitman knew? Allred alleges that the Social Security Administration sent a letter informing the Whitman household that their housekeeper's Social Security number did not match her name.
Whitman and her husband deny having seen such a letter. So far, Allred has failed to produce it.
"If Ms. Whitman would like to dispute our claims of what she knew and when she knew it, then she should be prepared for the release of evidence," Allred said. And you thought the burden was on the accuser.
"This entire political circus is targeted at one demographic," said Whitman spokesman Tucker Bounds. "New polling numbers show that Jerry Brown is nearly losing in the Latino community. This is a political play."
Brown spokesman Sterling Clifford released a statement that hit Whitman for showing "that she thinks the rules don't apply to her. After more than a year of Whitman demanding immigration policy that 'holds employers accountable,' we learn that accountability doesn't extend to her own actions."
Without proof that Whitman knew about Diaz, that's a cheap unsubstantiated shot from the Brown camp.
Read it at the San Francisco Chronicle here: Campaign stunt: a bunch of garbage
CUPERTINO - Please see the following statement from Meg Whitman and attached background materials in response to news reports that notorious attorney Gloria Allred will hold a press conference to discuss political allegations from a former Whitman employee. Included with Meg Whitman's official statement is background concerning Nicky Diaz's employment from the campaign's legal counsel accompanied by a background of Gloria Allred's political activism and partisan support for Jerry Brown:
Meg Whitman Statement:
"Nicky Diaz was my housekeeper from 2000 to 2009. We consider Nicky a friend of our family and were saddened this morning to hear about her legal action.
After 9 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.
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. The charges are without merit. I will continue to focus my campaign on the issues that the people of California want to hear about: jobs, education and fixing our broken budget system in Sacramento."
Timeline:
As early as 1999, Meg Whitman and Griff Harsh retained a placement agency in California to assist them in finding a qualified applicant for in-home domestic services.
In May 2000, Nicandra Diaz-Santillan filled out a standard application provided by the agency. She provided the agency with a social security number and California driver's license number as well as filling out a standard employment application including references of prior employers over a lengthy period of time.
In November 2000, Nicandra Diaz-Santillan was hired by Meg Whitman. At the time she was hired, she filled out a standard IRS form W-4 and U.S. Department of Justice Immigration and Naturalization Service form I-9. Ms. Diaz provided a copy of her Social Security Card and her California Driver's License. Ms. Diaz signed the I-9 stating under penalty of perjury that she was a lawful Permanent Resident Alien.
During her employment, Meg Whitman paid state and federal income tax and provided Ms. Diaz with a standard IRS form W-2.
On or about, June 20, 2009, Ms. Diaz came to Meg Whitman and Dr. Harsh and confessed that she was not a legal resident and that she had used her sister's documents to gain employment. Diaz was immediately suspended.
On or about Monday, June 29, 2009, Meg Whitman informed Ms. Diaz that her employment was terminated.
There has been no further contact between Ms. Diaz and Meg Whitman since her termination.
 Jerry Brown sitting next to Gloria on CSPAN panel in 94 | Allred Is A Partisan Democrat And Long Time Supporter Of Jerry Brown: Allred donated $1,000 to Jerry Brown in 1982. Allred donated $150 to Jerry Brown in 2006. The Associated Press Reported That "Allred is a Democratic superdelegate who has given money to Whitman's challenger, Democratic nominee Jerry Brown." |
Allred has contributed tens of thousands of dollars to exclusively democratic candidates and causes.
Allred is a registered democrat in California.
To see Nicky Diaz's forms, click here: released copies of the Social Security card and immigration eligibility verification form presented by Diaz in PDF FORMAT
MEDIA CONTACT: Sarah Pompei 408.457.1369 Communications@MegWhitman.com
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