Meg Whitman vs. her illegal housekeeper
The GOP candidate for governor in California fights back against allegations that she knowingly employed an illegal Mexican immigrant
California gubernatorial candidate Meg Whitman is fighting "startling accusations" that she knowingly employed an illegal immigrant as her housekeeper, even though she publicly advocates tougher penalties for businesses that hire undocumented workers. Gloria Allred, a high-profile Los Angeles attorney, held a press conference with Whitman's former employee, Nicky Diaz Santillan, sobbing at her side, and accused Whitman of ignoring a warning from the IRS that the woman's name didn't match her Social Security number, then firing Diaz and tossing her out like "garbage" when, after nine years of service, she confessed she was in the U.S. illegally. Whitman called Allred's charges a politically motivated "lie." Will the accusations hurt Whitman's campaign?
This is bound to hurt Whitman: With polls showing Whitman, a Republican, running neck-and-neck with Democrat Jerry Brown, says Liz Goodman at Yahoo! News, this bombshell can only do Whitman's campaign harm. Any hint that Whitman knew her Mexican housekeeper was here illegally will cost her support from "conservative anti-illegal immigration voters." But if she pushes back too hard against Diaz, Whitman can say goodbye to crucial Latino voters.
"Suit from Meg Whitman’s maid highlights growing Latino disenchantment with GOP"
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Voters will see this for the hatchet job it is: Gloria Allred isn't pushing this lawsuit out of concern for Whitman's former maid, says B. Daniel Blatt at Gay Patriot. She's a longtime "Jerry Brown supporter" out to sabotage his opponent. Allred has pulled "such a stunt" before: When Republican Arnold Schwarzenegger first ran for governor in 2003, Allred represented a woman who sued him, unsuccessfully, for sexual harassment. Whitman has documents to prove Diaz used fake documents to get her job, so no one will be fooled by this smear.
"Democratic partisan Gloria Allred knows how to play the media"
Allred's motivation doesn't excuse Whitman: Even for those of us who still prefer Whitman to "Jerry Moonbeam Brown," says Michelle Malkin at her blog, this "scandal" is bad news. Yes, Gloria Allred is a politically motivated mud-slinger, but Diaz's story "will only serve to spotlight Whitman’s politically expedient flip-flops and double-talk on immigration." And if Whitman really did receive a letter from the IRS casting doubt on her housekeeper's legal status, her "credibility goes out the window."
"Meg Whitman’s illegal alien maid problem"
Create an account with the same email registered to your subscription to unlock access.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
-
Did Kamala Harris kill brat?
Talking Point Pop culture phenomenon co-opted by presidential candidate sparks claims brat is over
By Jamie Timson, The Week UK Published
-
Paris Olympics: will it be a success?
Today's Big Question Organisers hope the 'spectacle' of the 2024 Games will lift the cloud of negativity that has hung over the build-up
By Chas Newkey-Burden, The Week UK Published
-
Quiz of The Week: 20 - 26 July
Puzzles and Quizzes Have you been paying attention to The Week's news?
By The Week Staff Published
-
How could J.D. Vance impact the special relationship?
Today's Big Question Trump's hawkish pick for VP said UK is the first 'truly Islamist country' with a nuclear weapon
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
Biden, Trump urge calm after assassination attempt
Speed Reads A 20-year-old gunman grazed Trump's ear and fatally shot a rally attendee on Saturday
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Supreme Court rejects challenge to CFPB
Speed Read The court rejected a conservative-backed challenge to the way the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau is funded
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Arizona court reinstates 1864 abortion ban
Speed Read The law makes all abortions illegal in the state except to save the mother's life
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
Trump, billions richer, is selling Bibles
Speed Read The former president is hawking a $60 "God Bless the USA Bible"
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
The debate about Biden's age and mental fitness
In Depth Some critics argue Biden is too old to run again. Does the argument have merit?
By Grayson Quay Published
-
How would a second Trump presidency affect Britain?
Today's Big Question Re-election of Republican frontrunner could threaten UK security, warns former head of secret service
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
'Rwanda plan is less a deterrent and more a bluff'
Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
By The Week UK Published