Ex-Trump Bedminster Club Employee Files Sexual Harassment Lawsuit, Claims Coercion to Sign NDA
Former Trump Bedminster club worker sues alleging sexual harassment by manager and illegal pressure to sign NDA by Alina Habba, ex-president's attorney Lawsuit exposes disturbing workplace misconduct at Trump National Golf Club in Bedminster, New Jersey
A lawsuit has been filed in New Jersey against the Trump National Golf Club in Bedminster by a former server claiming sexual harassment by her manager. She also accused Alina Habba, who is now an attorney for the former president, of pressuring her to sign an illegal non-disclosure agreement. The woman, Alice Bianco, alleged that her boss, Pavel Melichar, coerced her into wearing short skirts, showered her with gifts, and forced her into a sexual relationship for "protection" and job security while she was 21 and he was in his mid-50s.
When Bianco refused his advances, she claims that Melichar retaliated by assigning her unfair tasks and allowing his associates to mistreat her and take her tips. Although not named as a defendant in the lawsuit, Melichar has not responded to requests for comment from CNN.
After learning that a colleague planned to write a letter to Donald Trump's personal staff about the "toxic and sexist work environment" at the club, Bianco shared her experience with that colleague. This colleague included Bianco's alleged harassment in the letter and soon after its delivery, Bianco was approached by Habba in July 2021. Despite not legally representing Trump at the time, Habba "acted as if Ms. Bianco was her friend," encouraging her to fire her lawyer and offering advice.
Bianco aims to prevent the Bedminster club from enforcing the NDA, cover her legal expenses, and file a complaint against Habba with the New Jersey Office of Attorney Ethics. She is not requesting any further repercussions.
"Alina Habba utilized the unethical silencing of my client, Ali Bianco, as a means to elevate herself into Trump's inner circle," stated Bianco's attorney, Nancy Erika Smith, in a comment to CNN. Smith asserted that Habba "was aware that Bianco had legal representation but deliberately targeted and influenced her to agree to terms favorable to Trump... for a fraction of the typical settlement amount for such claims."
Habba stated to CNN, "I consistently maintain ethical conduct and behaved no differently in this situation."
Neither Habba nor Trump have been identified as defendants. A representative of Trump did not provide a response to a comment request.
In August 2021, Habba reportedly had a meeting with Bianco in the parking lot of the Bedminster club and they talked while sitting in Habba's matte black G-wagon. Allegedly, Habba urged Bianco to not make her accusations public and instead to sign a "simple" NDA. Habba supposedly assured Bianco that she could ensure her protection.
"I was not aware of my rights," Bianco stated in a CNN-provided statement from her lawyer. "I did not know that Alina was not supposed to discuss the case with me without my lawyer present. I also did not know that New Jersey had banned non-disclosure agreements for victims of sexual harassment."
Bianco revealed, "The person who claimed to be my friend and advisor discarded me as soon as she pressured me into silence." According to the lawsuit, Bianco ultimately agreed to the settlement, which involved signing an NDA and receiving an undisclosed amount of money. The lawsuit also stated that if Bianco breached the NDA, she would be subjected to a $1,000 daily penalty.
Shortly after the settlement was signed, Habba started publicly representing Trump and ceased helping Bianco, as stated in the lawsuit.
According to the lawsuit, "Habba didn't need to text heart emojis anymore; she had achieved her objective of safeguarding Donald Trump and silencing Ms. Bianco."
Holmes Lybrand contributed to this report.
