[Well, I guess, if true, that makes Cher ineligible for a cabinet position. Gee, I hope all her left-wing friends don't get mad at her. Sigh.]

Wednesday, September 5 10:15 AM SGT

US entertainer Cher accused in court of hiring undocumented workers

LOS ANGELES, Sept 4 (AFP) -

A former employee on Tuesday accused Cher of hiring undocumented workers in the construction of her Malibu home.

Salvador Sampino, the former financial manager for the construction project, is suing the US entertainer for wrongful termination, saying he was driven to quit his job in May 2000 after refusing to conceal improprieties.

But Cher's lawyer, Jerry Mandel, told jurors the lawsuit was the baseless product of an "emotionally ill" mind.

Sampino's attorney, William Bloch, said Sampino had raised concerns about the use of undocumented workers and unlicensed contractors but was met with hostility from his employers.

"Was he thanked for his efforts? He wasn't thanked. He was threatened. He was told he was disloyal," Bloch told jurors.

"He was never ever to do anything like that. In other words, 'Don't bring me no bad news.' And that is a theme the evidence will show again and again in this trial," Bloch said.

Mandel said Sampino had never complained about the treatment of workers and was "never once retaliated against."

He said the evidence would show that Sampino was "professionally incompetent and emotionally ill," a man suffering from "mixed personality disorder" and paranoia.

Cher, wearing flared brown slacks and a purple top, appeared calm as she sat in the courtroom and listened to the dueling attorneys.

-- Anonymous, September 05, 2001

Answers

"Do you believe..."

-- Anonymous, September 05, 2001