QUOTE
A Filipina who won $825,000 (U.S.) in a lawsuit claiming a Hollywood executive and his wife enslaved her called yesterday for an end to human trafficking.
“Slavery still exists, and I want to tell victims they should not tolerate it and should not be afraid to seek help,” Nena Ruiz said at a news conference.
Ruiz, 60 is a former schoolteacher from the Philippines who worked as a domestic servant for James Jackson and his wife, Elizabeth.
Jackson is vice-president of legal affairs for Sony Pictures Entertainment.
In a lawsuit filed last year, Ruiz claimed she was paid $300 for a year’s work at the couple’s Culver City condominium.
Ruiz said she often worked 18 hours a day and was forced to do strange household chores, such as heating chicken nuggets and cutting up bananas or pears for the couple’s two dogs while she was fed leftovers and slept in a dog bed.
Ruiz also alleged Elizabeth Jackson repeatedly slapped her and pulled her hair.
She finally left the couple to stay with a neighbour in the condominium complex.
Last week, a jury awarded her back wages and punitive damages against the Jacksons, finding them liable for involuntary servitude, false imprisonment, invasion of privacy, negligence, and fraud.
Elizabeth Jackson also was held liable for assault and battery.
The U.S. attorney’s office has begun a criminal investigation into possible civil rights violations.
The Jacksons filed for bankruptcy protection days before the lawsuit trial began. Their lawyers have asked the judge to overturn the punitive damage award and indicated they may appeal the entire case.
Ruiz, who is seeking a waiver to remain in the United States, said she hoped her case will shed light on other immigrants who may be held against their will.
“I want others who are enslaving people to know that they could have the same future as the Jacksons,” she said.
http://www.fftimes.com/index.php/6/2004-09-03/18209
“Slavery still exists, and I want to tell victims they should not tolerate it and should not be afraid to seek help,” Nena Ruiz said at a news conference.
Ruiz, 60 is a former schoolteacher from the Philippines who worked as a domestic servant for James Jackson and his wife, Elizabeth.
Jackson is vice-president of legal affairs for Sony Pictures Entertainment.
In a lawsuit filed last year, Ruiz claimed she was paid $300 for a year’s work at the couple’s Culver City condominium.
Ruiz said she often worked 18 hours a day and was forced to do strange household chores, such as heating chicken nuggets and cutting up bananas or pears for the couple’s two dogs while she was fed leftovers and slept in a dog bed.
Ruiz also alleged Elizabeth Jackson repeatedly slapped her and pulled her hair.
She finally left the couple to stay with a neighbour in the condominium complex.
Last week, a jury awarded her back wages and punitive damages against the Jacksons, finding them liable for involuntary servitude, false imprisonment, invasion of privacy, negligence, and fraud.
Elizabeth Jackson also was held liable for assault and battery.
The U.S. attorney’s office has begun a criminal investigation into possible civil rights violations.
The Jacksons filed for bankruptcy protection days before the lawsuit trial began. Their lawyers have asked the judge to overturn the punitive damage award and indicated they may appeal the entire case.
Ruiz, who is seeking a waiver to remain in the United States, said she hoped her case will shed light on other immigrants who may be held against their will.
“I want others who are enslaving people to know that they could have the same future as the Jacksons,” she said.
http://www.fftimes.com/index.php/6/2004-09-03/18209
Can't believe $hit like this still happens here.
our government cannot give them work. that's why they choose to be what they are "maids"