Jeff Bezos Sued By Housekeeper, Claims She Had To Climb Out Window To Use Bathroom
Jeff Bezos Sued Ex-Housekeeper Claims Racial Bias ... Source Says She's Full of It
UPDATE
11:36 AM PT -- A source close to the couple tells us Wedaa had access to multiple restrooms and 2 breakrooms that were not only stocked with food -- but included air fryers and coffee machines. We're told when Jeff and Lauren were not home, staffers also had access to the family kitchen.
UPDATE
11:36 PM PT -- The source tells us Wedaa was well compensated, and worked largely unsupervised, though we're told at least one of her supervisors was also Hispanic.
UPDATE
11:36 AM PT -- Interestingly enough, another source says Wedaa's daughter was very recently, or still could be an employee at the home.
Jeff Bezos is going to court because one of his former housekeepers claims he racially discriminated against her, and forced her to work under conditions so bad ... just going to the bathroom was a nightmare.
According to legal docs, obtained by TMZ, Mercedes Wedaa says Bezos' team allegedly treated her and other Hispanic cleaning staff members much differently compared to the white employees ... claiming his household manager was "aggressive and abusive" to her, while being "respectful and polite" to the white staff.
Wedaa, who began working at Bezos' Seattle mansion back in 2019, claims she would often work 10-14 hour shifts, but was unable to take a break while Bezos and his family were on-property.
She claims she wasn't allowed to enter the home unless actively cleaning ... which is where going to the bathroom became a major issue.
According to the docs, Wedaa and other housekeepers "were forced to climb out of the laundry room window to the outside. Then run along the path to the mechanical room, through the mechanical room and downstairs to a bathroom.”
Wedaa's now seeking damages from Bezos and 2 companies that manage his properties.
Bezos' attorney, Harry Korrell, tells TMZ, "We have investigated the claims, and they lack merit. Ms. Wedaa made over six figures annually and was the lead housekeeper. She was responsible for her own break and meal times, and there were several bathrooms and breakrooms available to her and other staff."
He continues, "The evidence will show that Ms. Wedaa was terminated for performance reasons. She initially demanded over $9M, and when the company refused, she decided to file this suit. Given their backgrounds, the suggestion that Mr. Bezos, Ms. Sanchez, or Northwestern LLC discriminated against Ms. Wedaa based on her race or national origin is absurd."
Originally Published -- 9:45 AM PT
