(CNN) — A Florida judge has blocked an attempt by the ex-girlfriend of professional golfer Tiger Woods to void a confidentiality agreement that would force her to arbitrate claims she has filed against the golfer.
In a decision Wednesday, Judge Elizabeth Metzger of the Nineteenth Circuit Court of Florida ruled against Erica Herman, calling her claims that the confidentiality agreement is invalid and unenforceable “implausible.”
The ruling allows the arbitration process to proceed in private, within the terms of the agreement.
Erica Herman’s lawyers were challenging the validity of the agreement because of sexual harassment allegations against the 15-time major golf champion.
Tiger Woods and Erica Herman pictured during day three of the Presidents Cup in Melbourne on December 14, 2019. Credit: William West/AFP/Getty Images
Herman alleged that the golfer had a sexual relationship with her while working for him and forced her to sign a non-disclosure agreement or she would be fired from her job, CNN previously reported. Under a new federal law, Herman was seeking to void the arbitration agreement, which provides that it can be voided if sexual misconduct is involved.
“Herman has had the opportunity to provide factual facts about any claim relating to sexual assault or sexual harassment, but has not done so,” Judge Metzger wrote.
In a court filing earlier this month, Woods’ attorneys called Herman’s sexual harassment claims “implausible,” writing that “Ms. Herman, in this case, does not even attempt to assert a cause of action that rises to the level of sexual harassment under any federal, tribal, or state law.”
CNN has reached out to lawyers for Tiger Woods and Erica Herman for comment.
