Former Trump Club server files sexual harassment suit, claims she was 'pressured' to sign NDA

NEW BRUNSWICK, NEW JERSEY: Alice Bianco, a former server at Trump National Golf Club in Bedminster, NJ, alleges she was forced to have intercourse with her supervisor and was then duped into signing a non-disclosure agreement by the former US president's attorney Alina Habba.

 

Bianco filed the sexual harassment case in Middlesex County Superior Court on November 29 accusing the club's food and beverage manager, Pavel Melichar, of pressing her "to engage in sex as a quid pro quo for continued employment and 'protection'."

Shortly after Bianco joined the golf club staff in 2021, Melichar allegedly started harassing her and making forcible attempts to kiss her, as per the lawsuit that Politico originally reported on.

Bianco eventually sought the services of an employment lawyer after an anonymous co-worker informed Donald Trump's personal staff about Melichar's harassment of her and other female employees.

As a result, a human resources officer contacted Bianco. The lawsuit states Alina Habba, who was a golf club member at the time but not serving as Trump's attorney, told Bianco that she had been apprised of the legal situation and expressed a desire to assist her.

 

The lawsuit further states that the two exchanged amicable text messages for several weeks, bonding over their shared passion for music.

Habba then advised Bianco to terminate her current employment attorney and aided in the negotiation of a non-disclosure agreement that granted the server what court documents describe as a "paltry sum."

Furthermore, Habba purportedly reassured Bianco that the settlement payment would not be subject to taxes and that she would receive funds for therapy.

What does Bianco’s lawsuit entail?

Melichar's reputation with female club employees quickly became an established and well-known difficulty, according to the lawsuit.

Complaints were brought up with higher-ups, and other allegations were documented in a letter written by one of Bianco's coworkers that, according to the complaint, was delivered to "a member of Donald Trump's personal staff."

Alice Bianco, who is now a recording artist, alleged in her lawsuit that Habba posed as a "neutral" and supportive confidant to her, while covertly aiding Lamington Farm Club, which owns the New Jersey golf resort, and the former US president Donald Trump.

 

On August 11, 2021, the settlement and NDA were signed in Habba’s law office, according to the lawsuit. However, the amount of the “paltry sum” paid to Bianco is not mentioned in the complaint.

“Habba’s law firm drafted the Agreement,” the lawsuit stated.

The lawsuit does not name Habba, Melichar, or Trump as co-defendants. None of the numerous filings seek monetary damages.

Instead, the lawsuit seeks to prevent Lamington Farm Club, LLC — the company that operates the golf club — from even attempting to enforce the NDA, to declare the NDA void under New Jersey law, to refer Habba to the Garden State Office of Attorney Ethics, to have the club pay for Bianco's legal expenses and allow her to retain the settlement funds. 

What did the people who have been accused in the lawsuit say?

Habba became Trump's personal attorney one month following the finalization of the NDA.

 

"I always conduct myself ethically and acted no differently in this circumstance," Habba told Law&Crime.

Melichar told Politico that he did not “know anything” about the allegations and had “nothing to say” when reached for comment.

"Alina Habba used the unethical silencing of my client, Alice Bianco, as a way to propel herself into Trump's inner circle. Her behavior was predatory. Pretending to be 'neutral' when acting on behalf of one party is clearly unethical," said attorney Nancy Erika Smith in a statement to Politico.

"I wasn't aware of my rights. I didn't know that Alina wasn't allowed to discuss the case with me without my lawyer present. I wasn't aware that New Jersey had prohibited non-disclosure agreements for victims of sexual harassment," Bianco also stated to Politico.

She added, "All I was aware of was the individual claiming to be my friend and adviser discarded me as soon as she convinced me to remain silent."