Former Trump golf club worker was sexually harassed by supervisor and then conned into signing illegal NDA, lawsuit says

An ex-employee of Donald Trump's New Jersey golf club claims that she was deceived into signing an illegal non-disclosure agreement and settling a sexual harassment case against her supervisor for a small amount of money. Alice Bianco filed a lawsuit in Middlesex Superior Court on Wednesday, accusing attorney Alina Habba of unethical behavior by pretending to be a friend and impartial supporter after discovering Bianco's allegations against her boss at Trump National Golf Club in Bedminster.

The suit alleges that Habba began representing Trump publicly shortly after the NDA was signed in August 2021. Habba has denied the allegations, stating that she always conducts herself ethically and did nothing wrong in this situation. 

In a statement by Bianco's attorney, Bianco expressed her lack of awareness regarding her rights, such as her right to have her lawyer present during discussions related to her case with Alina. She also revealed her ignorance about the fact that New Jersey has prohibited non-disclosure agreements for victims of sexual harassment. Bianco emphasized her disappointment and betrayal, as the person she considered a friend and adviser discarded her as soon as she was coerced into silence.

The Trump Organization spokesperson did not immediately respond to a request for comment on Thursday.

According to Bianco's lawsuit against the Trump club, her troubles with her supervisor began shortly after she started working there as a 21-year-old in May 2021. She alleged that her boss exploited his position to subject her to harassment and pressure her into engaging in sexual activity. After she made it clear in July of that same year that she wanted no further involvement with him, she claimed that he retaliated against her. 

According to the lawsuit, Bianco said that she decided to hire an attorney after human resources contacted her. It was at this point that Habba, a club member whom Bianco occasionally served, reached out to her and expressed a desire to assist her with the situation. The complaint states that Habba asked Bianco about her lawyer and proceeded to send her a negative post about the attorney, suggesting that she could terminate their services. As the relationship between Bianco and her lawyer deteriorated due to these actions, Habba cautioned her against making the matter public, assuring her that she could provide protection. 

According to the lawsuit, Habba assured Bianco that she would be "protected" if she signed a non-disclosure agreement and accepted a settlement payment from the club. Bianco signed the agreement at Habba's office, but after receiving her money, Habba stopped communicating with her. Later on, Habba started representing Trump in a lawsuit against his niece.

However, the lawsuit claims that the settlement was not tax-free as promised. Additionally, the non-disclosure agreement that requires Bianco to return the settlement and pay a daily fine for any violations is illegal under New Jersey law, which prohibits such agreements since 2019.

Bianco is seeking to have the entire settlement agreement, including the non-disclosure agreement, declared invalid. She also wants Habba to be reported to the state attorney ethics office. 

According to a statement from Nancy Erika Smith, Bianco's lawyer, Habba took advantage of an unethical situation to advance her position within Trump's inner circle. Smith described Habba's actions as predatory and criticized her for pretending to be neutral while advocating for one party, which is clearly unethical.

Habba, who has become an integral member of Trump's legal team, is representing him or his company in a civil fraud trial in New York City and in a defamation case filed by writer E. Jean Carroll, which is set for trial in January.