Kobe Bryant's Housekeeper Sues Over Crappy Work Conditions
Kobe Bryant's former housekeeper is suing him and his wife over what she claims were really crappy work conditions.
In a suit filed in Orange County Superior Court in Calif., Maria Jimenez — who worked for the NBA star and his wife, Vanessa from September 2007 to March 2008 — alleges that she was forced to quit because of "intolerable" conditions. Almost immediately upon starting work, the complaint alleges that "Vanessa began a continuing pattern of verbally abusing and demeaning her." Jimenez said she was called lazy, slow, dumb, a liar and was cursed and screamed at in front of Kobe, the couple's children — Natalia, 6, and Gianna, 2, and others.
In one of the most shocking claims, Jimenez says that Vanessa screamed at her following an incident in which Jimenez accidentally washed an expensive blouse. "Vanessa demanded that Maria put her hand in a bag of dog feces to retrieve the price tag for the blouse," the complaint alleges. Fed up, Jimenez says she quit but Vanessa demanded that she work until her next pay day to cover the $690 cost of the blouse.
Jimenez paints Kobe in a more sympathetic light, saying he once talked her out of quitting and made Vanessa apologize to her, but the abuse began again.
The couple also failed to provide health insurance, as promised when she was hired, Jimenez alleges. She said she didn't learn she didn't have coverage until she became ill and sought medical attention.
The action seeks unspecified damages, as well as back pay and overtime Jimenez says she is owed.
Whose side are you on in this case: the housekeeper or the Bryants? Weigh in below.
READERS COMMENTS:
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If the story is true and it does have the "ring of truth", I am happy that the maid stood up for herself. Kobe and Vanessa both appear to be very egotisical and have a false sense of entitlement. Kobe is an alleged rapist who bought his way out of trouble and Vanessa seems to think the whole world revolves around her. Hoorah for the maid!
-- sasiren
"Some lawyer saw and opportunity to get his hands on 40% or more of whatever he might get for her and is going after it." What is wrong with the grammar in this sentence Mrs. P.C.? Just because you are rich and famous doesn't mean you can treat people like dirt. This is America and everyone has a right to complain about their working conditions and if they so desire, to sue their boss. The truth will come out in the end and if Vanessa purposely stuck that tag in a bag of crap and had her maid fish it out then Kobe should have to pay up.
-- Anonymous
Vanessa always has a very crazy look in her eyes.
Kobe should sleep with one eye open. -- Heather
A part of me think that this housekeeper is exaggerating and another part of me know that she could be telling the truth, because vanessa is a witch. But regardless if the housekeeper is telling the truth or not, in the process of being hired in 2007 she signed confidentiality agreement papers stating that anything that went on in the house was not to be told. So while she's trying to sue the Bryants she may end up getting sued for opening her mouth.
-- prima donna
How sad that all but a couple of these comments were from people who couldn't even write a correct sentence, and who had vocabularies so limited they could only express themselves with vulgar trash talk. Has anyone bothered to ask why the tag out of the blouse was hidden in the "crap" bag to begin with?
If this maid had been so competent and gracious, I'm sure there would have been little need for criticism. Some lawyer saw and opportunity to get his hands on 40% or more of whatever he might get for her and is going after it. If the maid had not been quite limited in her ability to think, she would have known about insurance, had it in writing in a contract. Kobe goes out and works his heart out trying to be the best he can be, and then someone else wants a part of it without earning it. Isn't that right? The people who have comments were so often discussing how she looks . . I imagine they wish they looked that way. Sounds like a lot of bitter commenters. -- Mrs. P. C.
vanessa appears to be stuck up and disrespectful towards the unfortunate. She should be sued for her evil ways. I hope the housekeeper will be compensated for her distress. No one should tolerate that kind of abuse from anyone, especially if you are doing someone dirty laundry.
-- kind
Sounds like a BITCH to me and she's not that pretty. Kobe could've done much better than that. Cut her off from the money until she shapes up.
-- Anonymous
She should thank her lucky stars, if it weren't for Colby Vanessa would probaby be cleaning hotels. Get a job, just because your husband is wealthy doesn'y mean you should be worthless and have no career. Take care of your own children, not like you have a life.
-- chas
what do you exspect, if you were made of fool in front of the world. You would be one bitter b$#*h.She needs to get a life
-- chas
You put make-up on a pig. She's still a pig. Consider the source!! Some one with money and no class!!!
-- anne |
