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Starwood ordered to pay $3m for spying on employee
File this under: What were they thinking?!?Starwood Hotels and Resorts was found guilty of spying on a New York employee and has been ordered to pay $3 million in damages.
Apparently, the hotel set up a hidden camera to watch 46-year-old Moises Mendez, a baker at the Westin Hotel at Times Square, following repeated complaints from Mendez that he was being discriminated by the hotel.
Seems the only way the hotel's HR department could be certain the claims were legitimate was to install a hidden camera near Mendez's workstation in the kitchen and watch him. When Mendez found out what was going on, the situation took a turn for the worse.
After a month-long process, a jury found Starwood guilty of unlawful retaliation and ordered the hotel to pay Mendez $1 million for his emotional distress, pain and suffering, and $2 million in punitive damages. After all that, Mendez said in a statement: "I look forward to going back to work today."
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Filed under: Hotels and Accommodations
Reader Comments (Page 2 of 2)
Dori Mar 19th 2010 2:49AM
Gee,my family came to this country in 1732 from Sweden, and my last name reflects that. I guess I'd better start looking up Swedish customs and foods and abandon this idea that I'm actually American.
lita Mar 19th 2010 1:29AM
Where does it say that he was tampering with food? And why is it that just Mexicans do this, according to you? If I may, every guy I've ever known named Rocco has had the IQ of a rock. Thanks for living to the stereotype, moron.
kathy Mar 19th 2010 2:47AM
It's ridiculousness!
Larry Cox Mar 19th 2010 3:04AM
I think they need to start an organization to protect the white people like me. We're the minority now. Blacks are the #1 on the list as in population, then comes Mexicans and other Latinos like from Pueoto Rico, South America, and then we're #3. We make up probably 1/4 of the population of the U.S. now.We usually have about 2 or 3 kids where African Americans and Latinos usually go for big families like 5 or more. Instead of the NAACP, change it to NAAWP. instead of having Black History month, change it to White History month. For all the Irish Americans out there, lets get the story straight about the so called "Great FAMINE" It wasn't a famine at all. it was England's way of starving the Irish out of Ireland so the English could march right in and take it over. They killed over 5 million men, women, and children to do it, the program failed and England has STILL not asked for forgiveness. So instead of the "Great Famine", just call it the "Great Starvation".
All-American Girl Mar 19th 2010 4:37AM
Larry, stating incorrect statistics reveals your ignorance. Below are excerpts from the 2000 Census:
In an introduction to a more detailed population profile (see references below), the Census Bureau highlighted the following facts about U.S population dynamics:
75.1% of respondents said they were White or Caucasian and no other race;
21.36% (60 million Americans) are of German descent; German Americans
12.3% are of Black or African American descent;
Hispanics — who may belong to any race — accounted for 12.5% of the U.S. population, up from 9% in 1990;
3.6% of respondents are Asian;
2.4% of respondents are multiracial (2 or more races). The 2000 Census was the first time survey options for multiracial Americans were provided
In the future, maybe all you racist responders should try checking facts instead of checking hatred. True Americans love this country and want us to be "One Nation Under God." Those of you who are filled with hatred and fear should follow Rush and leave this great United States. Go build your own country where you all can live happily in hell.
All-American Girl Mar 19th 2010 4:51AM
Your hatred and anger is so sad. Our country is in the condition that it's in because of greed, anger and hatred, not because the courts made a bad decision or because you don't like the current president. You, and many others who are constantly making ridiculous and completely hate filled comments on here probably consider yourselves christians and go to church every Sunday and maybe even on Wednesday nights for bible study. You have mothers and fathers, and possibly even spouses and children. I wonder how you would feel if someone in your family was the recipient of the hate that you so easily shout out to others. Seriously, what is wrong with you people?
solrbayr Mar 19th 2010 5:21AM
HEY!! CAN YOU SAY BIG BROTHERS WATCHING YOU.
Bev Mar 19th 2010 6:56AM
Well Sunny gave a better story and explaination than the writer of the story. Congras on your winning your lawsuit !! A lot of employees get harassed on the job, its about time companies start paying up !