Gothamist
A non-profit newsroom, powered by WNYC.
Gothamist
Listen Live
News
Socialite Sued For Asking Servants To Take HIV Test
By
John Del Signore
Published Jun 16, 2010
Modified Jun 16, 2010
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
Never miss a story
Email address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .
By
John Del Signore
Published Jun 16, 2010
Modified Jun 16, 2010
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
We rely on your support to make local news available to all
Make your contribution now and help Gothamist thrive in 2026. Donate today
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
As every well-bred socialite knows, AIDS is everywhere—floating in the air they breathe, hiding in the bathrooms they use, and coursing through the veins of their domestic servants. That's why Dana Hammond, an heiress to the Annenberg family fortune, wanted her "executive Polish housekeeper" to get tested for H.I.V. Hammond herself got an H.I.V. test after she sat on a seemingly "unclean" toilet seat, so why shouldn't she require her servant to get tested, too? But for simply trying to keep those little AIDS bugs from jumping off the help and onto her bedding, she's being sued.
Agnes Cybulska filed a lawsuit against Hammond yesterday, claiming that during her interview process, she was told that an H.I.V. test was a requirement of all of Hammond's employees. "Of course, I thought that was odd," Cybulska tells the Times. "She got kind of irritated a bit. She said, ‘I’m telling you right now, if you don’t take it you will not be employed.' " But instead of complying, Cybulska spurned what must have seemed like a dream job working for Hammond for nine hours a day at $150/day, with no sick days, vacation time, or health benefits.
When Cybulska informed the search firm that Hammond demanded an H.I.V. test, she was told she was not right for the job. So she's suing the firm, Domestic Job Picks, as well, accusing Hammond and the company of violating the city’s Human Rights Law. Something else Hammond should read up on: How H.I.V. is actually transmitted.
Tagged
aids
Annenberg
Dana Hammond
hiv
servant
John Del Signore
Originally from the Albany area, John Del Signore has called NYC home since 1995. In addition to his thousands of meticulously-crafted bespoke blog posts for Gothamist, his writing has also been published in The Awl, Deadspin, The Nervous Breakdown, and performed at The Brick Theater in Brooklyn.
Read more
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
MORE news
NYC Council to consider earlier Legionella reporting after deadly outbreaks
A bill facing a hearing Monday would require cooling tower owners to notify city health officials when bacteria levels reach a much lower threshold.
By
Catalina Gonella
Published Oct 18, 2026 at 7:36 p.m. ET
Staten Island fire injures 2, but spares historic 'Godfather' church
Dozens of firefighters responded to the blaze, which started in a vacant warehouse. It was contained within three hours.
By
Giulia Heyward
News
Staten Island fire injures 2, but spares historic 'Godfather' church
Dozens of firefighters responded to the blaze, which started in a vacant warehouse. It was contained within three hours.
By
Giulia Heyward
Bail reform remains major issue in NY governor's race, 7 years after it became law
By
Gino Fanelli
NYPD identifies Bronx man, 26, killed in Midtown subway shooting
By
Ryan Kost
,
Elizabeth Kim
and
Phil Corso
Have you seen this Yorkie? NYPD looking for adorable pup dognapped from her Queens home
By
Ryan Kost
Never miss a story
Catch up on the most important headlines with a roundup of essential NYC stories, delivered to your inbox daily.
Sign upEmail address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .