A federal lawsuit filed in Florida alleges that a wealthy businessman subjected a bestselling author to a prolonged campaign of sexual abuse, degradation, and psychological torture. The complaint, filed by Australian author Hacia Atherton, 38, against Florida millionaire and retired pilot Paul Vitale, 69, details a series of coercive sexual acts, including forced participation in cuckolding fantasies and humiliation rituals.
Atherton met Vitale, a retired FedEx pilot and owner of a consulting firm, through the dating app Millionaire Match in February 2025. According to the lawsuit, Vitale showered Atherton with gifts and sponsored her work visa, allowing her to relocate to the United States and live with him in his Clearwater beachfront condo. However, the relationship soon allegedly devolved into abuse.
The lawsuit claims that Vitale began to exert increasing control over Atherton, initiating a pattern of forced sexual encounters. Initially, this involved participating in sexual acts with Vitale and other men, which escalated to him arranging encounters specifically with Black men, some of whom Atherton alleges appeared to be paid for their participation, with some thanking her for 'reparations.' Vitale also allegedly proposed that Atherton open an OnlyFans account and charge other men for sex.
According to the court documents, Atherton was expected to bring Vitale to climax at least twice daily. She alleges he further asserted control by placing a collar around her neck, stating, "This means I own you, you submit to me and do what I say." The complaint also claims Vitale insisted she wear degrading bondage attire at home to demonstrate her submission. During these encounters, Atherton alleges Vitale routinely intoxicated her with alcohol, marijuana, and other drugs. On one occasion, while she was allegedly intoxicated, Vitale used large sex toys on her, causing her pain and bleeding, and refused to seek medical attention.
The lawsuit further alleges that some encounters involved viewing child abuse and bestiality content on the dark web. Vitale is also accused of secretly filming Atherton and other women during encounters without their consent and sharing the footage with a friend. The court papers describe Vitale's alleged actions as "a prolonged, calculated campaign of abuse, degradation, and psychological torture deliberately designed to subjugate, humiliate, and destroy plaintiff's mental and emotional well-being."
After Atherton ended the relationship and moved out in December, she claims Vitale initiated a campaign of online harassment. He terminated her employment with his consulting company, Allstar Consulting Services, which consequently led to the expiration of her visa. The lawsuit states Vitale then used social media to accuse Atherton of infidelity, damage her professional reputation, and publicly label her as having "evil in her heart." He also allegedly sent explicit footage of Atherton to her ex-husband as an act of revenge.
Atherton, who has since relocated and is seeking a jury trial, claims the experience has left her with lasting psychological scars, including PTSD, depression, anxiety, and hypervigilance. The lawsuit outlines a dozen legal counts against Vitale, including sex trafficking, forced labor, intentional infliction of emotional distress, cyber-harassment, stalking, assault, battery, false imprisonment, and defamation. None of the allegations have been tested or proven in court, and Vitale has not yet listed an attorney in the case filings.
Atherton's attorney, Matt Sarelson, emphasized that women of any socioeconomic status can be victims of abuse and that public figures like Atherton can help bring such cases to light. Atherton, author of "The Billion Dollar Blind$pot," chose not to remain anonymous to raise awareness about sexual abuse, even among independent and successful women.