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To: Tennessee_Bob
I would be willing to bet there is a lawyer somewhere in Orange Co. who will put Ms. Ismiyati up in comfort in some nice hotel pending litigation. This could be worth millions in a settlement. Doesn't help the Princess out on the criminal charges, but doesn't sound like she will be going anywhere for awhile.
16 posted on 12/19/2001 7:00:55 PM PST by NeonKnight
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To: NeonKnight
OMG - This article says that her lawyer is Russell Troutman. He is quite possibly the best trial lawyer in Orlando - very well respected here in Orlando - not an ambulance chaser by any means. It should be very interesting to see how this plays out.

ORLANDO, Florida (AP) -- A Saudi princess was sued by her Indonesian maid on Wednesday who claims she was physically and mentally traumatized by Princess Buniah al-Saud.

An attorney for Ismiyati Suryono filed the lawsuit against the princess, seeking an undisclosed amount of money in punitive damages in Florida Circuit Court.

"She has been the victim of assault and battery and has suffered physically and emotionally," said Russell Troutman, the attorney.

Al-Saud, a niece of King Fahd of Saudi Arabia, was charged Monday with felony battery for allegedly hitting Suryono's head against a wall and pushing her down a staircase. Suryono is currently walking with a cane.

Al-Saud also was charged Tuesday with grand theft and dealing in stolen property for allegedly trying to sell electronics equipment and furniture belonging to a former driver. She is free on a $5,000 bond.

Her attorney, Bud Bennington, didn't return a phone call seeking comment.

In the lawsuit, Suryono accused al-Saud of hitting her several times during her employment. Suryono also said al-Saud had choked her once and verbally abused her.

The princess also purposely withheld wages from Suryono at different periods to keep her from escaping, according to the lawsuit.

Suryono was very vulnerable -- being in a foreign country, not knowing the language and having a "meek disposition," the lawsuit said.

The maid had "nowhere to go but to continue to endure repeated if not daily acts of violence by the defendant," the lawsuit said.

The princess had been living in Orlando while studying English.

During a bond hearing, she was told to surrender her passport and not to have any contact with the maid. Her attorney said she would return to Washington.

Al-Saud, 41, could get up to 15 years in prison if convicted of felony battery. She faces an additional 10 years in prison for the theft and stolen property charges.

38 posted on 12/20/2001 8:34:08 AM PST by Lorraine
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