PGA Tour star Tiger Woods is making headlines after allegedly tricking his ex-girlfriend, Erica Herman, into leaving his Jupiter, Florida mansion where they lived together for six years. According to reports, Herman, 38, is suing the 47-year-old professional golfer following their breakup in October for $30 million amid claims she had an oral agreement with Woods' "Jupiter Island Irrevocable Homestead Trust," which is the legal owner of his mansion. The alleged agreement Herman stated allowed her to live at the property for 11 years and claims there is a "breach of duty" that has left her suffering "severe" emotional damages.
Herman's lawsuit, handled by the 19th Judicial Circuit Court in Martin County, Florida, claims she should have been allowed to live in the property for five more years and that Woods is "terrified" over claims of "another scandal." In the alleged oral agreement, Herman claims she provided "valuable services" at Woods' request as part of the "oral tenancy agreement" to reside at the Florida mansion for the specified duration. However, the athlete's lawyers told officials that the two never had a written or oral tenancy agreement and that his ex lived at the Florida residence as a "guest."
Tiger Woods and Erica Herman
In addition, they claim the trust owns "only a limited remainder interest" in his Florida mansion. The report adds that Herman's specified grievances are against Woods and not the Jupiter Island Irrevocable Homestead Trust that owns the home. Attorneys for the 15-time major golf champion reportedly filed a motion to intervene amid claims that Herman sued the trust to avoid an agreement she had made with Woods to arbitrate all disputes.
According to ESPN, Herman, who worked as a general manager of Woods' restaurant before entering into a personal relationship with him, is requesting a judge to remove her from an NDA she signed back in August 2017. Herman states the nondisclosure agreement, reportedly signed by both Woods and the plaintiff, was wrongfully forced upon her and cited the "Speak Out Act." In her court filings, she alleged that the 82-time PGA Tour winner sexually abused her. Reports say that there were no provided details as to what the alleged abuse entailed.
According to the latest court filing notes, Woods started arbitration proceedings on Dec. 22 to establish that Herman has no right to live in his residence and is not entitled to monetary damages from him. However, ESPN reports those proceedings stopped on Jan. 26 after Herman stated her claims alleging breach of an oral tenancy agreement involve a "sexual harassment dispute" and cannot be compelled to arbitrate. Check back in with HNHH later for any updates on the tense situation.