Trump Envoy Paolo Zampolli Who Says He Introduced Trump to Melania Accused of Drugging and Raping Woman

Paolo Zampolli, Donald Trump's special envoy for global partnerships, has been accused in a New York civil lawsuit of drugging and raping a woman at his Manhattan townhouse in October 2023. The complaint alleges that she lost consciousness after accepting a drink during what she believed would be a networking visit.

Zampolli categorically denied the allegations in an emailed statement to Newsweek and said he had reported what he believed was an attempted $650,000 (£494,000) extortion to the FBI. His denial is presented alongside the claimant's allegations, while the extortion claim remains Zampolli's account and has not been established by a court.

Zampolli Denies Allegations In Civil Lawsuit

The claimant filed the complaint on 3 September 2026 in the US District Court for the Southern District of New York. She seeks unspecified compensatory and punitive damages, a jury trial and a judgment declaring that Zampolli committed unlawful gender-motivated violence under New York City law.

'The allegations against me are false, and I categorically deny them,' Zampolli said in the statement published by Newsweek.

He added: 'The truth will come out where it belongs: in court, under oath, with all the evidence presented.'

The case is a civil action. The allegations in the complaint are not findings of criminal guilt or civil liability.

Drake Describes Invitation To Manhattan Townhouse

According to the complaint, Zampolli and the claimant met at a Manhattan private members' club on 5 October 2023 and discussed their shared admiration for Trump. She alleges that she and a friend subsequently visited his townhouse for a nightcap and left 'without issue'.

The complaint alleges that Zampolli called her in the early hours of 7 October and invited her to a gathering with Harvard and Massachusetts Institute of Technology graduates. She says she considered it a 'good networking opportunity'.

She alleges that she arrived at about 3am, accepted a drink and subsequently lost consciousness. The complaint alleges that Zampolli intentionally drugged her.

During brief periods of consciousness, she alleges, she recalled Zampolli penetrating her and gripping her neck with both hands. She states in the complaint that she 'did not, and could not consent to any sexual contact'.

According to the filing, she reported the alleged assault to the New York Police Department the following day and underwent hospital examinations related to sexual assault and suspected drug-facilitated assault. She alleges continuing 'severe emotional distress and physical ailments'.

Claimant's Lawyer Responds to Extortion Allegation

Responding to Zampolli's extortion allegation, the claimant's lawyer, Jesse Weinstein, told Newsweek that Zampolli had publicly threatened a £76 million ($100 million) lawsuit.

Weinstein also said process servers had repeatedly been unable to serve Zampolli with the court papers. He said his team had made multiple good-faith attempts and would continue trying.

'If Mr. Zampolli wants to contest Victoria's allegations, the appropriate place to do that is in court, where both sides will be subject to the rules of evidence and the judicial process,' Weinstein said.

Zampolli Claims Role in Trump and Melania's Introduction

Zampolli, a former modelling agent, says he introduced Trump to his future wife at a New York Fashion Week party he hosted in 1998.

Newsweek reported that Melania Trump has said she met her husband at that party, although she has not credited Zampolli with introducing them. His claimed role in bringing the couple together is separate from the allegations in the lawsuit.

The civil claims remain unresolved. The complaint sets out the claimant's allegations, which Zampolli denies; it does not establish that the alleged conduct occurred.