Cleaning lady steals from me -- can I go to the cops?

[CardSharpCook]

You're not her emplyer, you are her client. You are paying for services, not employing somebody. Paying in cash is perfectly legal. No you don't have to file a report with the IRS every time you get your lawn mowed, oil changed, walls painted, or dick sucked.

[Blarg]

Sometimes the law sees things differently.

People are often determined as employees and file suit successfully on that basis. I used to work in a workers' comp /personal injury law firm and saw housemaids, house painters, and nannys regularly considered employees and thus able to file suit.