Former eXp agents settle sexual assault claims

A settlement has been reached in a federal lawsuit accusing two former eXp Realty agents of drugging and sexually assaulting a fellow real estate agent, resolving the remaining claims in the closely watched case.

The settlement was disclosed in a notice filed Wednesday morning. Its terms are confidential, according to Andrea S. Hirsch, an attorney with Cohen Hirsch representing plaintiff Anya Roberts.

"We are very pleased to have reached a resolution that allows our client to put this litigation behind her and move forward with the next chapter of her life," Hirsch said in an email on Wednesday. "We anticipate finalizing the settlement within the next few days. The terms are confidential."

Hirsch said the case underscored the importance of sexual assault survivors coming forward, particularly when their allegations involve powerful individuals.

"Speaking out about sexual assault is never easy, particularly when doing so means confronting powerful individuals and enduring years of litigation," Hirsch said. "Every survivor deserves to be heard, to have their allegations taken seriously, and to have a meaningful opportunity to seek justice."

Plaintiff Anya Roberts sued eXp Realty LLC, former agents David Golden and Michael Bjorkman, and others, alleging that Golden and Bjorkman sexually assaulted her and that the brokerage and its leadership failed to act on warnings about misconduct at company recruiting events.

Golden was represented by Peter K. Levine of Los Angeles. Richard A. Schonfeld of Chesnoff and Schonfeld in Las Vegas represented Bjorkman. They did not respond to phone or email inquiries by press time on Wednesday.

The lawsuit alleged that the company allowed an environment in which agents were exposed to sexual misconduct while participating in recruiting and networking activities.

The latest settlement resolves the claims against Golden and Bjorkman. An earlier settlement reached Sunday resolved claims against eXp Realty, AGNT and former AGNT and eXp Realty CEO Glenn Sanford.

According to Wednesday's filing, the parties expect to submit dismissal papers within 15 days after finalizing the agreement.

The case has drawn attention to allegations of sexual misconduct within the real estate industry and questions about the responsibilities of brokerages for the conduct of agents at company-sponsored events.

"We are proud of our client for her courage and determination in pursuing this case, and we hope her willingness to speak out encourages other survivors to know that their voices matter," Hirsch said.

The case is Roberts v. eXp Realty LLC et al., 2:23-cv-10492-AB-CTS (C.D. Cal.).