Tiger Woods sued by ex-girlfriend Erica Herman in bigger home dispute over residence, cash

A home dispute between Tiger Woods and his former girlfriend has spilled into court docket in Florida after he broke up along with her in October and allegedly had her locked out of the seaside mansion they shared on the Treasure Coast, based on court docket information obtained by USA TODAY Sports activities.

The previous girlfriend, Erica Herman, responded by submitting a lawsuit, not towards the golf legend however towards a homestead belief he controls in Hobe Sound, Florida. Now she is claiming damages of greater than $30 million and mentioned the belief and its brokers misappropriated $40,000 money that belonged to her, making “scurrilous and defamatory allegations how she obtained the cash.”

Her lawsuit acknowledged she had an “oral tenancy settlement” to stay on the residence for 5 extra years after being in impact for six years earlier than the breakup.

“The duties that have been carried out by, and anticipated of, Plaintiff have been intensive and of a unprecedented nature in mild of the general circumstances and surroundings wherein she lived,” her lawsuit acknowledged.

In a separate grievance this week, she additionally sued Woods and requested the court docket to launch her from her non-disclosure settlement with Woods from 2017. She argued it’s not enforceable below the federal Converse Out Act, which prohibits the judicial enforceability of such agreements in disputes involving sexual assault or harassment.

Each fits are intertwined as attorneys for Woods’ belief attempt to implement the NDA and push the dispute out of public court docket and into non-public arbitration.

The primary lawsuit was filed towards the belief in October however was not beforehand reported till Wednesday

Lawsuit towards the belief

“Plaintiff has frequently demanded to be allowed again into her residence, however Defendant’s brokers have refused,” mentioned Herman’s lawsuit towards the belief.

The swimsuit towards the belief mentioned she was compelled out by the “trickery” of brokers of the belief, who satisfied her to pack a suitcase for a brief trip. When she arrived on the airport, they instructed her she had been locked out of her residence, in violation of the oral tenancy settlement and in violation of Florida legislation, the swimsuit states.

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The belief has responded to that lawsuit by asking the court docket to compel confidential arbitration for the dispute. It mentioned the NDA between Woods and Herman requires arbitration for such disputes and that she sued the belief as an alternative of Woods to keep away from this requirement and “achieve leverage by litigating her disputes with Mr. Woods in a public discussion board.”

In keeping with court docket information filed by the belief, Woods established the belief in 2017. Its solely potential beneficiaries are Woods and his kids. Its solely asset is its possession curiosity on this residence.

“Ms. Herman was invited to stay within the Residence whereas she was in a relationship along with her former boyfriend, Eldrick (Tiger) Woods, who continues to stay within the Residence together with his two kids,” mentioned a doc filed in court docket by the belief. “After Mr. Woods lately terminated the connection, Ms. Herman was suggested that she was not welcome within the Residence.”

However Herman has fought again, citing a federal legislation that invalidates arbitration agreements that stop a celebration from submitting a lawsuit in court docket involving sexual assault and harassment. This legislation known as Ending Compelled Arbitration of Sexual Assault And Sexual Harassment Act of 2021.

The NDA

Herman, who additionally labored because the supervisor of Woods’ restaurant in Jupiter, Florida, has not made particular allegations of assault or harassment towards him. She as an alternative is asking a court docket to declare her NDA at the least partly unenforceable, thereby allowing her to say extra.

“This uncertainty is acute and necessary,” mentioned her court docket submitting this week towards Woods. “Due to the aggressive use of the Woods NDA towards her by the Defendant and the belief below his management, the Plaintiff is uncertain whether or not she could disclose, amongst different issues, details giving rise to varied authorized claims she believes she has. She can also be at the moment uncertain what different details about her personal life she could focus on or with whom. There’s subsequently an lively dispute between the Plaintiff and the Defendant for which the Plaintiff wants a clarifying declaration from the court docket.”

Herman’s lawsuit towards the belief acknowledged that “all bills that associated to Plaintiffs residency, or that resulted therefrom, have been to be absolutely paid by the Defendant or its privies.” It additionally states damages shall be decided at trial “however is prone to be measured in extra of $30,000,000, given the substantial month-to-month rental worth of the Residence.”

Attorneys for the 2 sides did not instantly return messages in search of remark.

The dispute joins a listing of troubles for Woods through the years away from the golf course. He recovered from a automobile crash close to Los Angeles in 2021, the newest in a string of driving-related points. He additionally divorced his spouse Elin Nordegren in 2010 after changing into embroiled in a intercourse scandal.

Comply with reporter Brent Schrotenboer @Schrotenboer. E-mail: [email protected]

This text initially appeared on USA TODAY: Tiger Woods going through court docket claims by ex-girlfriend over residence, cash