Internet suspects Tiger Woods' ex Erica Herman 'got paid' for dropping NDA appeal and denying abuse claims
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: Tiger Woods' ex-girlfriend, Erica Herman, has become the target of social media ridicule after retracting her legal action against the renowned golfer.
In a surprising turn of events, Herman admitted she was never a victim of sexual abuse by Woods, prompting speculation and criticism online.
The former restaurant manager, who dated Woods from 2017 to 2022 and worked at his Florida restaurant, The Woods Jupiter, initially claimed she had been coerced into signing a non-disclosure agreement (NDA) when their relationship turned intimate.
However, in recent court documents filed with Florida's Fourth District Court of Appeal, Herman stated she "was never a victim of sexual harassment or sexual abuse at the hands of Tiger Woods or any of his agents, and it is her position that she never asserted a claim for such."
Legal arguments and abandoned appeal
The latest revelation follows Herman's official notice to dismiss her appeal against the NDA, which was subsequently dismissed by the court on Tuesday, November 14, according to People.
Earlier, Herman had argued that the NDA was not enforceable under the Speak Out Act, designed to prohibit such agreements in cases of sexual harassment or assault.
In May, a judge ruled against her, asserting that the Act was not applicable to her NDA.
Herman's attorney, in the now-abandoned appeal, contended that Woods had "imposed an NDA on her as a condition to keep her job when she began having a sexual relationship with him. A boss imposing different work conditions on his employee because of their sexual relationship is sexual harassment."
Notably, Herman had previously made a startling but unspecified allegation of sexual abuse against Woods during the initial case seeking to void the NDA. However, with her recent admission, it appears the alleged abuse was unfounded.
In October, Herman took legal action against the Jupiter Island Irrevocable Homestead Trust, the legal owner of Woods' mansion in Hobe Sound, where the couple lived together.
She filed a $30 million lawsuit, claiming Woods tricked her into leaving their $40 million Florida mansion following their October 2022 breakup.
The lawsuit alleged that Woods, disgruntled with their relationship, locked her out, took her possessions, and attempted to coerce her into signing a different NDA. This lawsuit was reportedly dismissed in July.
Social media reactions
That said, Herman's latest admission has sparked a wave of criticism on social media.
"How many ZEROS did that cost," one posted on X.
"Wonder how much that statement cost him?" another wrote.
"She definitely got paid," a comment read.
"She finally received an amount she thought was fair," someone else quipped.
"Check cleared," another joked.
She finally received an amount she thought was fair.
— Tyler Lytton (@lytton_tyler) November 16, 2023
Woods and Herman shared a six-year relationship after being first seen together at the Presidents Cup in New Jersey in October 2017.
Their public debut followed rumors sparked by Herman wearing a 'player spouse' badge, typically given to wives and girlfriends. The couple officially confirmed their relationship the following month. According to Woods's lawyers, he ended the relationship on October 13, 2022.
Currently nursing an ankle injury, Woods has withdrawn from the 2023 Masters tournament.