Erica Herman’s Complaint Against Tiger Woods: Seeking Clarity and Compensation Under the Speak Out Act

Erica Herman, the former restaurant manager and ex-girlfriend of golf star Tiger Woods, has filed a complaint in Martin County, Florida, to nullify a nondisclosure agreement (NDA) allegedly signed by her when the pair began dating in 2017, citing the Speak Out Act, which protects victims of sexual assault or harassment.^[0] The complaint states that a trust controlled by Woods has asserted that the NDA is enforceable and has initiated an arbitration against her based on it.^[1]

In October, a document was filed claiming that the Jupiter Island Irrevocable Homestead Trust of Tiger Woods had unlawfully terminated Herman's lease of the couple's property in Hobe Sound, Florida.^[2] The trust has responded by asking the court to compel confidential arbitration for the dispute.^[3] It said the NDA between Woods and Herman requires arbitration for such disputes, and that she sued the trust instead of Woods to avoid this requirement and “gain leverage by litigating her disputes with Mr. Woods in a public forum.”^[4]

On the civil cover sheet which was attached to Herman's October lawsuit, his lawyer answered “no” to the question of whether the case “involves claims of sexual abuse.”^[5] The filing does not make any specific allegations of sexual assault or harassment against Woods.^[5]

Herman, who dated Woods for about 6 1/2 years and worked as the manager of his Jupiter restaurant, filed a complaint in October 2022 under the Florida Residential Landlord Tenant Act after Woods ended the couple's relationship earlier that month.^[6] Herman claimed in the suit that the couple had an “oral agreement” that ensured she could live at the mansion for a total of 11 years, and that she still had five years remaining when they split up.^[7]

According to court papers, people working for Woods insisted that Herman should “pack a suitcase for a short vacation and, when she arrived at the airport, they told her she had been locked out of her residence, in violation of the oral tenancy agreement and in violation of Florida law.”^[8]

Herman has requested more information from the court because she is uncertain if she can reveal certain facts that relate to her legal claims. Furthermore, she is uncertain what other details of her life she can talk about and to whom.^[6] She is seeking compensation in the amount of 30 million dollars based on the remaining duration of her five-year tenancy.

0. “Tiger Woods ‘splits with Erica Herman' and faces NDA legal row over sexual harassment clause” The Mirror, 8 Mar. 2023, https://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/golf/tiger-woods-splits-erica-herman-29408303

1. “Erica Herman, longtime girlfriend of Tiger Woods, files for nullification of NDA, citing laws protecting survivors of sexual assault” CBS News, 9 Mar. 2023, https://www.cbsnews.com/news/tiger-woods-erica-herman-girlfriend-non-disclosure-agreement-nda-nullification/

2. “Tiger Woods’ Ex Erica Herman Suing Athlete for $30 Million, Claims He Tricked Her Into Moving Out” Yahoo Entertainment, 8 Mar. 2023, https://www.yahoo.com/entertainment/tiger-woods-ex-erica-herman-174959425.html

3. “Tiger Woods sued by ex-girlfriend Erica Herman in larger domestic dispute over home, money” Yahoo Sports, 8 Mar. 2023, https://sports.yahoo.com/tiger-woods-sued-ex-girlfriend-213155768.html

4. “Tiger Woods ‘convinced WAG to pack suitcase for holiday – then locked her out of house'” Daily Star, 9 Mar. 2023, https://www.dailystar.co.uk/sport/other-sports/tiger-woods-wag-duped-allegations-29410903

5. “Tiger Woods' ex-girlfriend has lawsuits against golfer and trust” CNN, 9 Mar. 2023, https://www.cnn.com/2023/03/09/sport/tiger-woods-erica-herman-nda-intl-spt/index.html

6. “Tiger Woods' former girlfriend wants NDA nullified citing sexual assault act” NBC News, 9 Mar. 2023, https://www.nbcnews.com/pop-culture/pop-culture-news/tiger-woods-former-girlfriend-wants-nda-nullified-citing-sexual-assaul-rcna74130

7. “Tiger Woods' Ex-Girlfriend Erica Herman Files to Nullify NDA Citing Sexual Assault Act” Entertainment Tonight, 9 Mar. 2023, https://www.etonline.com/tiger-woods-ex-girlfriend-erica-herman-files-to-nullify-nda-citing-sexual-assault-act-200501

8. “Tiger Woods' Ex-Girlfriend Is Alleging He Tricked Her Into Thinking They Were Going On Vacation Before Finding Out …” Barstool Sports, 9 Mar. 2023, https://www.barstoolsports.com/blog/3458971/tiger-woods-ex-girlfriend-is-alleging-he-tricked-her-into-thinking-they-were-going-on-vacation-before-finding-out-she-had-been-dumped-and-kicked-out-of-the-house