Lawsuit Claims Sharon Stone Prevented Nanny From Reading Bible
A lawsuit filed by the former nanny of Sharon Stone's children claims that the actress mocked the nanny's Filipino heritage and Christian beliefs.
Erlinda Elemen, the nanny, filed her complaint against Stone in the Los Angeles Superior Court on Wednesday. In addition to these harassment accusations, Stone – who is known for her roles in films like "Basic Instinct," "Casino" and "Total Recall" – is also being accused of wrongfully terminating Elemen's employment after a dispute over overtime pay.
The lawsuit says Elemen was promoted from assistant nanny to head nanny for Stone in September of 2008. Her new position required her to live at Stone's home so she could care for the actress's three children. She was also required to travel with the children for long periods of time when necessary.
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In August 2010, Stone allegedly began making derogatory comments about Elemen's Filipino heritage, including comments that "equated being Filipino with being stupid," the lawsuit states. It also claims Stone told Elemen not to speak to her children, because she didn't want them to learn to talk like Elemen.
The actress also allegedly attacked Elemen's Christian beliefs. The suit says she criticized the nanny for regularly attending church and, on one occasion, told her she wasn't allowed to read the Bible even in her own room.
In early 2011, Stone allegedly approached Elemen after learning that she had been receiving overtime pay for holidays and the time she spent travelling with the children. Stone allegedly accused Elemen of "stealing" and said it was "illegal" for her to accept the overtime pay, and then asked for the money back.
Following this incident, Stone allegedly reduced Elemen's hours and pay. After three weeks of berating Elemen in front of the rest of the staff, the suit claims, Stone fired her.
Paul Bloch, the spokesperson for Stone, called the lawsuit "frivolous" and says Elemen is just looking for a way to get the actress's money, The Los Angeles Times reports.
"This is an absurd lawsuit that has been filed by a disgruntled ex-employee who is obviously looking to get money any way she can," Bloch said in a statement. "After she was terminated approximately 1½ years ago, she filed claims for alleged disability and worker's compensation. Now, she is obviously looking for another opportunity to cash in."
The suit says Elemen has accrued medical and other expenses as a result of the "physical and mental anguish and emotional distress" from these incidents, and states that her suffering will be ongoing into the future as well.
