Although this story is not directly related to an Orange County divorce or family law matter, the ongoing lawsuit between Kobe Bryant, his wife and their former maid has reportedly come to an end. A lawyer for the former maid of the Bryant's, Maria Jimenez, who sued the Newport Beach couple in 2009, said Tuesday that both sides dismissed their claims.
Purportedly, the couple paid Jimenez $200,000 to drop her lawsuit, which alleged harassment and verbal abuse by Vanessa Bryant. The Bryants also dropped their counter-suit as part of the settlement.
Jimenez claimed Vanessa Bryant "badgered, harassed and humiliated'' her and also did not provide her with health insurance or pay her overtime. According to the complaint, Jimenez worked at the Bryant home six days a week, for 10-12 hours a day, from September 2007 to March 22, 2008, handling a variety of tasks that included housecleaning, laundry and cleaning up after the couple's children.
Jiminez claimed that after only two weeks on the job, Vanessa Bryant began a pattern of verbally abusing, demeaning, badgering and humiliating Jimenez by yelling, screaming and criticizing her in front of Kobe Bryant, the children and other employees.
Terms of employment included a salary of $50,000 a year and medical insurance for herself and her family, according to Jimenez. But when she needed surgery for an ovarian cyst, she found out she had no medical coverage, and her bills came to more than $120,000, according to her court papers.
Jimenez claimed the final straw was when Vanessa screamed at her for putting an expensive blouse in the washing machine, then demanded that she put her hand in a bag of dog feces to retrieve the price tag for the garment. Jimenez refused, saying she was quitting on the spot, but was forced to work until payday to pay for the $690 blouse, according to her lawsuit.
Luckily for both sides, this matter is over. It is not uncommon for matters, including Orange County divorce matters to settle out of court to avoid incessant litigation and incurring substantial attorney fees and costs. If possible and if the other side is willing to work out the issues, settling is a good option. For more information on how to settle your divorce out of court, contact an reputable Orange County divorce attorney.
Source: KTLA.com: Kobe Bryant, Wife Settle Lawsuit with Former Maid
