Women file new lawsuits in United States real estate scandal as David Golden and Michael Bjorkman face drugging and rape allegations

A growing legal storm is engulfing two high-profile figures in the luxury property world, David Golden and Michael Bjorkman, after several additional women came forward with disturbing accusations.

The latest filings suggest a pattern that is now being compared to some of the most notorious workplace misconduct scandals in recent US corporate history.

With nine women now involved in civil lawsuits, the allegations are expanding far beyond what was first reported in 2023.

At the centre of the case is their former employer, eXp Realty, a fast-expanding cloud-based brokerage often described as a “tech-style disruptor” of the real estate industry, known internally for its high-energy culture of parties, networking trips, and aggressive sales incentives.

A Party Culture That Now Faces Serious Scrutiny

When Golden and Bjorkman worked at eXp Realty, the environment was often promoted as “work hard, play hard,” with champagne-fuelled events, luxury hotel stays, and international networking trips forming part of the company lifestyle.

But according to multiple lawsuits, what appeared to be glamorous industry gatherings allegedly masked a darker pattern of behaviour.

Four new women have now joined earlier plaintiffs Fabiola Acevedo, Anya Roberts, and Christy Lundy, all of whom previously claimed they were drugged and sexually assaulted after attending work-related events.

The new accusations largely mirror earlier claims: drinks consumed at parties, sudden memory blackouts, and disturbing recollections of waking up in compromised situations.

One Accuser Describes Pre-Wedding Nightmare

One of the most recent complainants says she was just weeks away from getting married when she attended a work dinner involving Bjorkman and other colleagues.

She alleges the evening included drinking, a visit to a strip club, and sitting on Bjorkman’s lap before she lost consciousness.

Her testimony describes waking up the next morning inside his bed, confused and alarmed, and later being told she had acted in ways she does not remember.

She also claims he referenced having recorded her during the night, something she says she immediately doubted but found deeply disturbing.

Alleged Messages and Internal Culture Under Fire

Court documents also include alleged private messages between Golden and Bjorkman that appear to reference sexual encounters with women in crude and boastful language.

Other internal communications reportedly show staff joking about sexual topics, including sexually transmitted diseases, raising further questions about workplace culture.

One former employee described what she called a “boys’ club environment,” where complaints were allegedly ignored and high performers were protected due to their financial value to the company.

Company Leadership and Alleged Warnings

eXp Realty has been accused in court filings of failing to properly act on internal complaints raised over several years.

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Some women say they escalated concerns to senior management, and in certain cases even to CEO Glenn Sanford, but claim no meaningful action was taken.

Internal emails reportedly included warnings about inappropriate behaviour dating back to 2018, yet both Golden and Bjorkman remained employed until 2023.

The company and its leadership have not publicly responded to the most recent allegations.

Drugging Allegations at the Centre of the Case

A key part of the lawsuits involves claims that victims were unknowingly drugged at work-related events.

Several women allege that after consuming a single drink, they experienced sudden disorientation and memory loss consistent with substances such as Gamma-Hydroxybutyric acid (GHB), sometimes referred to as “roofies.”

One witness even claimed she saw behaviour suggesting GHB was being used at events, though these claims remain disputed and unproven in criminal court.

Bjorkman and Golden have denied all wrongdoing in previous statements, and no criminal convictions have been made against them.

Pattern of Blackouts, Hotels, and Missing Memories

Across multiple testimonies, a recurring narrative appears: women attending corporate events, consuming limited alcohol, then waking up in unfamiliar hotel rooms or confused environments.

One former agent from Colorado described attending a dinner event, going to a nightclub, and then experiencing a complete memory gap before waking up in Bjorkman’s hotel room.

Another woman claimed she blacked out after a glass of wine at an event in California and later woke up disoriented in his hotel room.

A third accuser alleges an incident dating back to 2007 involving a real estate training trip that ended in a hotel room encounter she says she cannot fully remember.

Comparisons to Other Corporate Abuse Scandals

The case has drawn comparisons to other major legal scandals in the US real estate and business sectors, including cases involving powerful industry figures accused of exploiting networking environments.

Observers say the combination of high-income sales culture, frequent travel, alcohol-heavy events, and hierarchical power structures can create environments where misconduct allegations are difficult to surface or prove.

Impact and Consequences

The allegations have already caused reputational damage to eXp Realty, a company once praised for its fast-growing agent network and modern approach to real estate brokerage.

If proven in court, the claims could have wide-reaching consequences, including regulatory scrutiny of commission-based brokerage models that may discourage internal accountability.

The case also raises broader concerns about workplace safety in industries built around informal networking, where boundaries between professional and social settings can become blurred.

For victims, the ongoing lawsuits represent an attempt to seek accountability after years of silence and alleged inaction.

What’s Next?

The civil lawsuits will continue moving through US courts, where depositions, internal documents, and witness testimony are expected to be examined in detail.

Further filings may reveal additional communications or testimonies as lawyers build their cases.

No criminal charges have been announced at this stage, but legal experts say civil cases like these can sometimes lead to parallel investigations if sufficient evidence emerges.

Both Golden and Bjorkman are expected to continue denying the allegations as proceedings unfold.

Summary

More women have joined civil lawsuits accusing luxury real estate brokers David Golden and Michael Bjorkman of drugging and sexually assaulting them during high-end work events linked to eXp Realty.

The allegations span multiple years and locations, involving claims of blackouts, hotel incidents, and internal company warnings that were allegedly ignored.

Both men deny wrongdoing, and the company has not publicly responded to the latest claims.

Bulleted Takeaways

• Four new women have filed lawsuits, bringing total accusers to nine
• Allegations involve drugging and sexual assault at work-related events
• Claims centre on luxury parties linked to eXp Realty
• Women describe memory loss, blackouts, and hotel room incidents
• Internal messages allegedly show inappropriate behaviour and “boys’ club” culture
• Company leadership is accused of ignoring complaints for years
• Allegations include suspected use of GHB (“roofies”) at events
• Golden and Bjorkman deny all accusations
• No criminal convictions have been made so far
• Civil cases are ongoing and may expand with further evidence