Paolo Zampolli, Trump's envoy who called Nicușor Dan live during a press conference, accused of rape

Paolo Zampolli, U.S. President Donald Trump’s special envoy for global partnerships, has been sued in New York by model and entrepreneur Victoria Drake, who accuses him of drugging, sexually assaulting, and strangling her. The alleged incidents took place in October 2023, at the businessman’s home in Manhattan.

According to the civil complaint filed at the beginning of September, Drake claims that she lost consciousness after accepting a drink from Zampolli and that, during brief moments of lucidity, she realized she was being assaulted. She says she reported the incident to the police the next day, and that forensic examinations indicated bruising and necessitated preventive treatment.

Zampolli categorically denies the allegations and claims that the lawsuit is an attempt to extort $650,000, which he says he reported to the FBI. Drake’s lawyer, in turn, claims that the businessman is threatening his client with a $100 million lawsuit.

The case brings renewed attention to Zampolli’s recent appearances in Romania. At the end of August, he visited Bucharest and publicly called President Nicușor Dan, in the context of the project to rename Tudor Arghezi Park the Donald Trump Romanian-American Friendship Park. A first hearing in the case is scheduled for November 6.