Palm Beach Daily News

May 1, 2009 — A former Everglades Club employee who was raped in her dormitory room settled her lawsuit against the club.

Melissa Legare sued the club, claiming negligence in its hiring practices and lax security created conditions that led to her rape.

A three-week trial was scheduled to begin Monday and could have revealed secretive inner workings and practices of the exclusive club on Worth Avenue.

Legare's attorney, Ted Babbitt, and Lyman Reynolds, who represents the club, said they could not comment because the terms of the settlement are confidential.

Melissa Legare sued the club, claiming negligence in its hiring practices and lax security created conditions that led to her rape.

A three-week trial was scheduled to begin Monday and could have revealed secretive inner workings and practices of the exclusive club on Worth Avenue.

Legare's attorney, Ted Babbitt, and Lyman Reynolds, who represents the club, said they could not comment because the terms of the settlement are confidential.

Legare, a former pantry cook, awoke in the predawn hours of April 2, 2006, to a co-worker raping her in her dormitory room at the club.

Legare, then 20, told officials she fought off Esdras Cardona, an undocumented immigrant from Guatemala, until he left the room and police were called. Cardona, a dishwasher, was convicted of the rape in summer 2007 and is serving a 20-year sentence.A former Everglades Club employee who was raped in her dormitory room settled her lawsuit against the club Wednesday.