Congress has cut federal funding for public media — a $3.4 million loss for LAist. We count on readers like you to protect our nonprofit newsroom. Become a monthly member and sustain local journalism.
This is an archival story that predates current editorial management.
This archival content was written, edited, and published prior to LAist's acquisition by its current owner, Southern California Public Radio ("SCPR"). Content, such as language choice and subject matter, in archival articles therefore may not align with SCPR's current editorial standards. To learn more about those standards and why we make this distinction, please click here.
The Smoking Gun, err Letter, Against Meg Whitman? Gloria Allred Holds 2nd Press Conference
Gloria Allred this afternoon showed what she said is proof that gubernatorial candidate and former eBay CEO Meg Whitman and her husband knew they were employing an illegal immigrant for several years. And if Whitman denies it, she is ready with even more proof, Allred said.
The drama began Tuesday morning when Allred announced she was representing Whitman's former housekeeper Nicky Diaz, who worked for the family from 2000 to 2009. It is alleged that Whitman and her husband Dr. Griff Harsh knew that Diaz was undocumented since at least 2003 when the social security administration sent a letter to the couple regarding a mismatch in name and social security number.
But Whitman denied they ever saw that letter, suggesting that perhaps Diaz intercepted it. Allred, however, showed the apparent Social Security letter with Dr. Harsh's handwriting on it: "Nicky, please check this, thanks."
"Now that we've shown you the evidence, let's see if [Whitman is] going to deny it," Allred said.
Support for LAist comes from
But what if Diaz intercept the letter and forge Dr. Harsh's handwriting? Allred said Diaz was never in charge of the mail unless Whitman and Dr. Harsh were on vacation, and that he did indeed write the note on the Social Security letter. "If they would like to deny that, I would like to come back and provide further evidence... let's see what they say," asserted Allred.
Still, other questions remain. For one, some are curious why, if this is at all true, would Whitman wait for six months into her campaign to fire Diaz. Whitman said this morning if she would have done it for the political reasons Allred alleges, it would have been done before her official gubernatorial announcement. But Allred says it occurred because Diaz was seeking help getting an immigration attorney and becoming a citizen.
Also, has Allred been working in cahoots with Whitman's opponent Attorney General Jerry Brown? Well, she denies that.
As Editor-in-Chief of our newsroom, I’m extremely proud of the work our top-notch journalists are doing here at LAist. We’re doing more hard-hitting watchdog journalism than ever before — powerful reporting on the economy, elections, climate and the homelessness crisis that is making a difference in your lives. At the same time, it’s never been more difficult to maintain a paywall-free, independent news source that informs, inspires, and engages everyone.
Simply put, we cannot do this essential work without your help. Federal funding for public media has been clawed back by Congress and that means LAist has lost $3.4 million in federal funding over the next two years. So we’re asking for your help. LAist has been there for you and we’re asking you to be here for us.
We rely on donations from readers like you to stay independent, which keeps our nonprofit newsroom strong and accountable to you.
No matter where you stand on the political spectrum, press freedom is at the core of keeping our nation free and fair. And as the landscape of free press changes, LAist will remain a voice you know and trust, but the amount of reader support we receive will help determine how strong of a newsroom we are going forward to cover the important news from our community.
Please take action today to support your trusted source for local news with a donation that makes sense for your budget.
Thank you for your generous support and believing in independent news.
Chip in now to fund your local journalism
(
LAist
)
Trending on LAist
-
The L.A. City Council approved the venue change Wednesday, which organizers say will save $12 million in infrastructure costs. -
Taxes on the sale of some newer apartment buildings would be lowered under a plan by Sacramento lawmakers to partially rein in city Measure ULA.
-
The union representing the restaurant's workers announced Tuesday that The Pantry will welcome back patrons Thursday after suddenly shutting down six months ago.
-
If approved, the more than 62-acre project would include 50 housing lots and a marina less than a mile from Jackie and Shadow's famous nest overlooking the lake.
-
The U.S. Supreme Court lifted limits on immigration sweeps in Southern California, overturning a lower court ruling that prohibited agents from stopping people based on their appearance.
-
Censorship has long been controversial. But lately, the issue of who does and doesn’t have the right to restrict kids’ access to books has been heating up across the country in the so-called culture wars.
Best of LAist