Stephanie Winston Wolkoff, former aide to Melania Trump, has weighed in on recent allegations surrounding a waitress at Trump National Golf Club, adding her voice to the discourse on the Trump family’s use of non-disclosure agreements (NDAs). The unfolding controversy involves Alice Bianco, a former employee of the New Jersey club, who has filed a lawsuit against Donald Trump’s lawyer, Alina Habba, alleging that she was coerced into signing an illegal NDA after experiencing sexual harassment by a supervisor named Pavel Melichar.
Bianco’s lawsuit, filed in New Jersey’s Middlesex County Superior Court, does not name Trump or Melichar as defendants. In her complaint, Bianco, who was 21 at the time, detailed distressing encounters with Melichar, who allegedly forced her into wearing inappropriate attire and engaged in unwarranted physical advances, creating a hostile work environment. The suit claims that the harassment escalated to the point where Melichar demanded sexual favors as a condition for maintaining her employment.
The Alleged NDA:
The lawsuit further alleges that Trump’s lawyer, Alina Habba, approached Bianco after she sought legal representation and convinced her to dismiss her lawyer. Subsequently, Bianco claims she was persuaded to sign an NDA, which included a $1,000 per day penalty for any breach, in exchange for an undisclosed sum. The lawsuit seeks to invalidate the NDA, enable Bianco to retain the settlement funds, cover her legal expenses, and subject Habba to scrutiny by the New Jersey Office of Attorney Ethics for alleged unethical behavior.
According to the lawsuit, the NDA is argued to be unconstitutional under New Jersey law, which has explicitly prohibited such agreements since 2019. Newsweek reached out to Habba for comment, and while she asserted that she always conducts herself ethically, the lawsuit raises questions about the legal and ethical ramifications of the situation.
Winston Wolkoff’s Perspective:
Stephanie Winston Wolkoff, a vocal critic of the Trump family, took to social media to express her views on the matter. She pointed out the prevalent use of NDAs among individuals associated with the former president, emphasizing the silencing effect these agreements can have on those involved.
As the lawsuit unfolds, the allegations and legal intricacies surrounding the incident at Trump National Golf Club continue to draw attention. The case not only sheds light on the dynamics within the club but also raises broader questions about the ethical use of NDAs and the potential impact on individuals seeking justice for workplace harassment. The involvement of a prominent Trump lawyer adds an additional layer of complexity, underscoring the ongoing legal challenges associated with the Trump family.