Stone ridiculed my accent and my religion, says ex-nanny in lawsuit

A FORMER nanny who worked for Sharon Stone is suing the actress for repeatedly insulting her Filipino heritage and sacking her after discovering she had been paid overtime.

Erlinda Elemen's harassment action claims the 'Basic Instinct' star insulted her accent, religion and other aspects of her culture in the final months of her employment.

Ms Elemen worked for Stone for more than four years and was promoted to head nanny, a live-in position, but was sacked after the actress discovered the overtime payments, the lawsuit claims. The suit also claims Stone forbade Ms Elemen from reading the Bible in her home.

Stone's accountants issued the payments because the nanny worked during holidays, but the actress did not approve, the lawsuit states.

Stone's publicist, Paul Bloch, called Ms Elemen a disgruntled former employee who first sought disability and worker's compensation payments after she was sacked about 15 months ago. "Now, she is obviously looking for another opportunity to cash in," Bloch said. "This is a frivolous lawsuit for absurd claims that are made-up and fabricated. Sharon Stone will be completely vindicated in court."

Ms Elemen's spokesman, Eric Rose, responded: "We can't wait to see Ms Stone in court."

The former nanny seeks unspecified damages on harassment, wrongful termination and retaliation claims.

hnews@herald.ie