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Lawsuit: Water Mill Couple Forced Woman Into Slavery

Indonesian woman made to work 15 hours a day for below minimum wage and live in a closet, according to lawsuit.

In a lawsuit filed in federal court last week, a Water Mill couple is accused of effectively enslaving an Indonesian woman after promising her a 9-to-5 job, according to several published reports.

In her lawsuit, Ni Ketut Sulastri claims that Lawrence and Rose Halsey offered her a job at their children's shoe business, but then forced her to work 15 hours a day, seven days a week at the business and in their Halsey Lane home, Business Insider reports. The Halseys are also accused of taking away Sulastri's passport, not allowing her to call home, and telling her she would have to pay them $3,000 if she left, The New York Post reports.

She was paid just $350 per month and given a room the size of a closet to live in, according to the lawsuit, Business Insider reports.

The Halseys did not immediately return a phone message from Patch Tuesday afternoon requesting comment.

For more on the story, visit businessinsider.com or nypost.com.

Philip A Keith July 25, 2012 at 12:12 pm
Rose Halsey is one of the loveliest, most generous, kind hearted people on his PLANET! She was my son's teacher--and more than that a caring mentor. Larry Halsey is a hard-working family man and a solid citizen of this community. This has to be a put-up job. NO way there is any foundation to these claims.
Jean Berardi July 25, 2012 at 12:20 pm
I think..."the so-called victim" is the criminal.
Jaguar-Guy July 25, 2012 at 12:39 pm
Thanks - as I wrote - if it proves true. So sick I hope it is not true.
Davina Greenland July 25, 2012 at 12:40 pm
I hired Ketut Sulastri as a maid here in Bali about 8 years ago from an agency in Denpasar. She was with us for about two weeks when she was asked to leave as I strongly suspected her of taking cash from my wallet on two occasions. Her character in general was also questionable. Afterwards I discovered she'd brought articles of my clothing and three pair of 22k gold earrings with her. I heard that she was working in the Hamptons in New York, didnt expect to have news of her reaching me via the New York Post. It looks to me like she is up to no good.
Mike Cappy July 25, 2012 at 12:44 pm
Anyone that knows this Halsey family knows Ms. Sulastri claims are ridiculous and anyone that knows Ketut knows she is a liar and trouble maker. More irresponsible are the News media to print such a wild story. While the claims are totally unfounded and will likely be dismissed it has stained the family’s good name and I hope the Halsey’s will sue this person and bring her lawyer up before the bar for this frivolous action. Also in the mix of lies and slander is Ms. Sulastri current employer Ms. Rachael White who lives in North Sea because it would seem she encouraged and aided in this scam although it would not be surprising if she was also being scammed by Ketut.
The Halesy’s are among the most generous people I have ever met. I have met Ms. Sulastri on many occasions and she always appeared to be unhappy and disgruntled. When she left she had the nerve to threaten the Halsey’s by saying she would get them and apparently she is making good on that threat. It is not uncommon for illegal aliens that are under deportation orders make these frivolous claims. Lastly the illegal alien problem in this country and especially here is destroying this country. We need to enforce our immigration laws and deport all here illegally.
GOLD FINGER July 25, 2012 at 12:57 pm
RIDICULOUS
Jo Rachman July 25, 2012 at 01:37 pm
Yes Jean I agree with you if Illegal people can get out there spreading Vicious lies don't lawyers check facts first its all very fishy,may be she thinks (and the lawyer) there is a big pay out to be had..But they are stupid if they think they can bad mouth an upstanding family on the say so of a self confessed illegal !!!!! How upsetting for this lovely family
Jo Rachman July 25, 2012 at 01:38 pm
Yes the criminal Ni Ketut what ever should be in Jail ,Immigration jail !!!!
christie nicolle July 25, 2012 at 01:55 pm
What's up with rich people doing stingy mean things?
Davina Greenland July 25, 2012 at 02:08 pm
@ christie nicolle . read before you write. these people who have written know the family involved, i knew the person making the allegations. it doesnt take a rocket scientist to figure out whats going on here.
Ann Marshall July 25, 2012 at 03:08 pm
To Mike Cappy...maybe what you say is true or maybe it is not. I DO know that wealthy families continue to employ illegals for cheap labor, room & board, etc but then contradict themselves (just like you) and want the illegal alien problem cleaned up! So which is it Mike??!!
christie nicolle July 25, 2012 at 05:31 pm
Davina, I apologize for my quick post...it's true that many make fasle allegations + many knew the family as being upright. Sounds like they're innocent and the victim is the culprit.
Hazel Wilkonson the First July 25, 2012 at 05:36 pm
Hey, Christie, I thought you wingnuts liked rich people. Another completely expected stupid comment
George Soros July 25, 2012 at 06:24 pm
Its a problem that all this woman had to do was find a slick lawyer desperate enough to press release the claim. Its put out on the 24/7/365 information super highway and their innocent name is being dragged through the mud all over the internet.
Jean Berardi July 25, 2012 at 08:52 pm
"Rich" does not mean class, Christie.
Halsey~~the name alone carries class and character. Any local out here knows this accusation is a pile of lies.
Mike Cappy July 26, 2012 at 11:16 am
Ann: There is no contradiction. This woman overstayed her visa and was caught. Deportation orders were issued she was released but she did not leave. Had there been enforcement to the order there would be no case. Again we need to enforce our immigration laws and deport all those here illegally.
Algebra July 26, 2012 at 01:02 pm
Amazing that you folks researched her immigration staus to find the ever elusive truth.
Jaguar-Guy July 26, 2012 at 01:09 pm
The President no longer enforces Illegal Immigrant Deportations - thank you.
Mrs. Keyston July 26, 2012 at 03:53 pm
I've known the Halsey for 11 years. And when I said I know them, I mean, I KNOW them. They treated me better than my family. They are just amazing people and one of the most generous family I have ever met. They always give back to the community and they are just hard working people. Why is it bad things always happened to good people??? For all the countless helping hand the Halsey have lent to whoever in needs, including myself and my families, It breaks my heart when I read all this falsely accusation towards them. This is a horrible extortion and the real criminal out there thats looking for a quick money by throwing good people under the bus to get ahead of themselves, shame on you! Let justice prevail!
Ralebird July 26, 2012 at 05:26 pm
It sounds like this will be an interesting case and the truth will come out at trial if there is not a settlement and/or plea bargain with sealed records before that time. It's odd that a number of writers show up here in a matter of hours claiming to have known the complainant in Indonesia as a troublemaker. Also odd is that those claiming to know the Halseys well make no reference to knowing anything about how she worked or lived when she was with them or refuting any of the charges in other than the most general terms. I wonder what the IRS records will show.
Jo Rachman July 27, 2012 at 12:56 am
GJ,sorry if not enough info for you but Ketut's claims are so ridiculous they don't bare talking about,when the truth comes out you will know all,plus as Mr Cappy said I hope the Halseys sue for slander and that Lawyer is bought before the bar and Ms Ketut and her new employer Ms Rachel White (Funny as isn't she supposed to be Illegal) Get Rich quick plan will be the undoing of them .
Respect to The Halseys and I am sorry your kind deeds towards fellow human beings leads you to this...As for living conditions..this woman lived the good life..went on holidays with her Indonesian friends,worked for other Families on the week end,,Pray tell me if life was so bad,,why didn't she take off then,ask her friends for help .The Truth will come out in court..I hope those working with her have explained the word perjury to her !!!!!!! Wait 4 years Mmmmmmmm.
George N. Greene Jr. July 27, 2012 at 11:52 am
I am sitting here just thinking of Rose and Larry. This accusation is so absurd it's laughable! I've been to Bali and believe me life there is hand to mouth. Children are tought how to work the outsiders for their money from a young age.
Comming to America is everyones dream, but guess what. You have to work to get anywhere. Here is a person who after all this time is now ready to go the easy route.. Lets defame a local family of prominence and get enough money to live in Bali like a queen!!! Who cares about them. I don't need to repeat the good character and honesty of my friends Rose and Larry.. It speaks for them.. I just find this situation unreal. In the end it's all about the money and a quik way to live like a queen!!
Irish_Paddy July 27, 2012 at 04:57 pm
“The more I read about this story, it seems to me it has more to do with her current employers than her past employers (Halsey). Ketut's current employers Rachel and Bill White ( who resigned as head of international capitol management for Bank of America right before the bailout) have 2 maybe 3 times as much money as the Halsey's. They also hired Ketut during her deportation hearings, and know full well that she failed to leave the country after being ordered by an immigration judge to do so. Then moved Ketut around to there multiple residences in Southampton, NYC, and Aspen,CO I would think to keep her from being deported. Which could be called aiding and abetting? right. So the underlying story is that after 4 years the wealthy Whites are affraid of losing there cheap labored servant to deportation so they are helping Ketut put together this bs story to keep her in the country.Surely Ketut does not have the money or knowledge to do this on her own. If the Halseys are to be scrutinized in the media than so should the Whites. Trying to hurt an inocent family to keep there own cheap labored servant in the country. SHAMEFUL.”
Anne Greene July 27, 2012 at 05:23 pm
Ketut was by mo means held at the Halseys against her will and was not a "slave" She had a bedroom.. not a closet...and was not "making shoes' in the basement as reported in the press..she was packing them ...Someone has to be prompting her to make all these vicious lies..she had plenty of oppotunity to speak out as she also worked for someone else part time! Her lawyer claims she did not speak English ..another lie..Ketut and her lawyer should both be sued for all this slander..the only negative thing she ever told me was that she was homesick sometimes..missed her Mother..well if that were true.. why is she still here..why wait 4 years to make these ridiculous accusations against Rose and Larry??This is a very serious situation and I hope anyone out there that knows this wonderfull family will be willing to speak up for them!!! Anne Greene
lovetotravel July 27, 2012 at 06:05 pm
These allegations are totally lies ! lliving in the "small closet" is that what she called "a small closet" ? ckkckckckcck ... Closet with windows, TV, proper bed, and everything else in it? No day off she said, but she was able to go anywhere she likes with her friends ??!! Trips to NYC watching the broadway show, having dinner in NYC .. is that what she called herself a slave ?? If she could do this to her previous employer, dont you think she will be able to do this kind of scenario ...more to her current employer ? specially when she gets permanent resident and enough money and she feels enough with her current employer?? A back stabber if you know what i mean ..
donna July 28, 2012 at 12:15 pm
It's not true.
Elaine July 28, 2012 at 01:52 pm
The Halsey Family is a wonderful and giving family and we are outraged by these
accusations of this individual ! Please mandate Employee Verify Program immediately for all businesses in Suffolk County NOW!! Southampton Town should mandate E-Verify immediately!
Meadow Lane July 28, 2012 at 01:55 pm
It's very simple to me...if you don't want the obvious problems that come with hiring illegals, then don't hire them. But, if you hire them, regardless of the terms and how kind or rotten you may be to them, you have to live with what follows. That sometimes involves a life of kindness and consideration and other times you'll run into larcenous individuals, thieves and even murderers. It's the same the world over and it's not unique to the East End. We're just the latest bunch of penny pinching suckers. If you can and want to live with that...go to it. But listen to this story first.
A friend of mine hired a group of 3 fellas from the 7-Eleven to wash the exterior of the windows on his house. About 30 minutes into the project, one of the men knocked on the door, motioning to my friend to come to the front of the house. There, lying on the ground next to the bushes, was one of the three. They said that he had fallen from the laddar from the second floor. They took him home and the next day there was a knock on my friend's door. A well spoken gentleman from the same South American country, said that the man who fell needed $5000 in medical work. My friend paid...in cash "to avoid trouble", he said. Standing behind this well-spoken man was another young man ready to replace the one who fell from the laddar in addition to the two who had worked the day before. If this isn't a lesson, when will we learn?
cm July 28, 2012 at 10:55 pm
please everyone....dont hire illegals. They are becoming desperate for money.
anne greeene July 31, 2012 at 02:50 am
to Davina....Rose is still in indonesia now and trying to reach you for a statement..are you using your real name? She can not locate you! Anne

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Maud Nordwald Pollock June 18, 2013 at 04:37 pm
Sid you must be a shill it shows by your ignorance.
Sid Viscuous June 18, 2013 at 05:19 pm
What's the matter, Maud, didn't think anyone would call you out on your lunatic conspiracy theory?Read More Your entire thesis is steeped in teaparty bs and supported by links to youtube nuts and right wing organizations. You dispute global warming because you are a shill of corporat liars who use your ignorance to promote their agenda. Yours is at textbook case of science denial "There are a number of areas of science where the evidence has become so overwhelming that a scientific consensus forms. For example, the consensus on the link between smoking and cancer, that HIV causes AIDS or that humans are causing global warming. Where there is a scientific consensus, there are often movements that deny the scientific evidence. All of these denialist movements have been found to share 5 common characteristics, including cherry picking, conspiracy theories and fake experts."
K9SAR June 18, 2013 at 06:17 pm
Maud, Thanks for the info. I looked it up online. Very scary stuff. The Town of Southampton isRead More playing with fire with plans for Sustainability. Just another word for Agenda 21. What fools would want to go along with this scam? Guess they want to rule our lives just like the U.N. wants to do with our property rights, food, and fuel.