Attorney Lisa Bloom held a press conference on Monday to address the allegations of two women and one man who claim that recording artist Usher (full name Usher Raymond) has genital herpes, and failed to tell them before engaging in sexual activity. Bloom announced that she is filing a lawsuit on their behalf Monday morning, and is calling on Usher to undergo a test to determine if he indeed has herpes.
“Genital herpes is highly contagious and incurable. It can cause high-risk pregnancies and miscarriages,” Bloom said. “That’s why the law requires that people with herpes warn their sexual partners or abstain from sex.”
Bloom said that Usher has not denied having the medical condition. “My three clients allege that he violated their rights by failing to warn them.”
One of Bloom’s clients, Quantasia Sharpton, addressed reporters at the press conference, saying that she had sexual contact with Usher in the past after she was at a concert and invited backstage, but he didn’t tell her he had herpes. Sharpton said that while she herself did not contract herpes, she does feel that Usher violated her rights by putting her at risk without warning her.
Bloom said that another of her clients has tested positive, and blames Usher for this.
“This case is not about money,” Bloom said, explaining that her clients are not just seeking monetary damages, but a court order requiring Usher to notify his past sexual partners if he tests positive for genital herpes. If the singer tests negative, Bloom said, he should still notify his partners, or make a public statement, in order to put people’s minds at ease.
LawNewz.com is attempting to reach out to a representative for Usher.
