2023-05-18 03:59:52
A Florida judge ruled late Wednesday that Tiger Woods’ former girlfriend must abide by a nondisclosure agreement she allegedly signed and must resolve her lawsuit through closed-door arbitration.
In an 11-page document, Judge Elizabeth Metzger dismissed Erica Herman’s attempt to strike down the 2017 agreement saying Woods sexually harassed her, saying Herman’s allegations were “vague.” »
“Herman was given the opportunity to provide factual specifications for any claims related to sexual assault or sexual harassment, but she did not,” Metzger wrote.
Metzger also said evidence shows a nondisclosure agreement was brokered between Herman and Woods in 2017, though her attorney, Benjamin Hodas, now questions whether she actually signed it.
During a May 9 hearing, Hodas admitted that Herman signed an agreement, but he said he doesn’t recall ever seeing the agreement that Woods’ lawyer presented to the court.
Metzger said if Herman had clearly refused to sign the agreement, she would have ordered a hearing on the issue. But since Herman isn’t sure she signed it, that’s a matter to be settled in front of an arbitrator.
Neither Hodas nor Woods’ attorney, JB Murray, immediately responded to emails sent late Wednesday to comment on the matter. It remains unclear if Hodas will appeal the decision.
The 39-year-old Herman sued Woods and the trust that owns her $54 million Florida mansion, seeking $30 million over unspecified sexual harassment allegations. Forbes magazine estimated Woods’ worth at $1.1 billion.
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