Meg Whitman, the Republican candidate for California’s Governor, is in hot water over allegations that her housekeeper, Nicky Diaz Santillan was an illegal immigrant.
While Whitman denies allegations she was aware of Santillan’s status, her husband now says it’s “possible” he saw a letter sent from the Social Security Administration in 2003 which raised questions about Santillan’s SS number.
The letter in question was released by Santillan’s attorney, Gloria Allred, which showed Whitman’s husband, Dr. Griffith Harsh's handwriting on the bottom. “Nicky Please check this Thanks,” is scrawled across the bottom of the page.
“While I honestly do not recall receiving this letter, as it was sent to me seven years ago, I can say it is possible that I would've scratched a follow-up note on a letter like this," Harsh retaliated in a statement Thursday. "Since we believed her to be legal, I would have had no reason to suspect that she would not have filled it in and done what was needed to secure her benefits," Harsh said.
Whitman has told reporters that if the matter goes further, she would be willing to take a polygraph test to prove she didn’t know Santillan was an illegal worker until 2009, at which point she terminated her employment.
Whitman has called the allegations a political smear set up by opponent Jerry Brown. Polls place the two candidates neck-and-neck in the lead up to the November 2. elections.
Brown denies the allegation and Allred claims she has no contact with the Brown campaign, although is a Democrat supporter.
