Escape the House
June 28th, 2008 - 4:20 pm
A millionaire who inflicted years of abuse on two Indonesian housekeepers held as virtual slaves in her Long Island mansion was sentenced Thursday to 11 years in prison.
Varsha Sabhnani, 46, was convicted with her husband in December on a 12-count federal indictment that included forced labor, conspiracy, involuntary servitude and harboring aliens.
She’s getting jail time. Her husband will be getting jail time (3 years). They will have to pay these two women some kind of back wages. Good. These people are evil.
“I just want to say that I love my children very much,” the defendant told the court as two of her grown children looked on. “I was brought to this Earth to help people who are in need.”
Really? Like maybe helping the poor Indonesian women you treated worse than stray dogs? Sorry, but I’m not buying it, babe. I dn’t care how many letters from around the world your lawyer collected telling of your good deeds and charitable works. Charity really does begin at home … with not abusing your live-in maids.
Her statement isn’t nearly as rich as the excuse the defense presented.
The defense, which intends to appeal, contended the two women concocted the story as a way of escaping the house for more lucrative opportunities.
When I wanted to quit my job, I walked into my bosses office, told him I was finished working for them, and that was that. I didn’t have to wait until he was gone, break out of the building, and then run to a nearby Dunkin Donuts wearing nothing but rags to call the police. I didn’t have to “escape” from my employer, and no one should have to do that.
Anyway, I had been following the story when it broke a long time ago, and I was pleased to hear an update on what was happening with it.