NEW YORK, NY - SEPTEMBER 02: Tiger Woods and Erica Herman cheer on Rafael Nadal at 2019 US Open in New York City. (Photo by Gotham/GC Images)
Tiger Woods’ ex-girlfriend, Erica Herman, claims he owes her $30 million after reportedly locking her out of his home following their split in a recently filed lawsuit.
According to court documents obtained by TMZ, Erica, and Tiger lived at his Hobe Sound, Florida mansion for the duration of their relationship. Erica claims they had an “oral tenancy agreement,” allowing her to live with him for at least five years after their breakup.
Instead, she claims Tiger and employees of his trust, Jupiter Island Irrevocable Homestead Trust, cooked up a plan to kick her out. Per TMZ, the lawsuit docs say Tiger’s folks told Erica to pack for a solo “short vacation,” but when she arrived at the airport, the tune changed. She alleges she was told the relationship was over and she couldn’t return to the house.
Additionally, Erica claims one of Tiger’s lawyers introduced a proposal to her at the airport to resolve any remaining issues with her ex-man. Not only that, the former restaurant manager says Tiger and his employees “misappropriated'” $40,000 in cash that belonged to her.
The pair, who dated for about six years, had a private relationship, minus a few public outings at his competitions and the 2022 US Open.
But when they broke up in October, Herman sought to void a non-disclosure agreement she signed when they began dating in 2017. Herman wants the contract canceled under the Speak Out Act, which typically applies to cases of sexual assault or harassment. However, Erica hasn’t made any such claims against Tiger in her lawsuit or otherwise.
In response to receiving the boot, Erica filed a $30 million lawsuit against Jupiter Island Irrevocable Homestead Trust. Per the docs, she’s citing the multi-million dollar figure as “reasonable rental value” for the extended five years she claims Woods promised.
Erica is suing for “consequential monetary damages, injunctive relief, and attorney’s fees,” per PEOPLE. She’s arguing that the Florida Residential Landlord Tenant Act gives grounds to sue for all three.
The act recognizes both written and verbal rental agreements. However, terminating a rental agreement requires written notice as determined by the arrangement or “by the periods for which rent is payable.” Per TMZ, Erica’s lawsuit states she performed “valuable services” to live with Tiger rent-free.
In their court clapback, the trust denies the oral agreement Erica is standing on. Additionally, they’ve said her stay ended when the couple’s relationship did, given that she was only in his home as his girlfriend. Tiger also shares the Florida home with his two children from ex-wife Elin Nordegren.
They’re asking the court to discuss Herman’s lawsuit via a confidential arbitration–as the non-disclosure agreement requires. Trust attorneys have also reportedly filed a motion to halt court proceedings until both parties meet with the arbitrator.
