Usher Hush-Hush on Herpes Suits
One of several women who have filed civil suits against Usher Raymond for allegedly infecting them with herpes claims the singer is purposefully delaying mediation in the case, citing his "failure to cooperate" on scheduling and arbitration issues. Quantasia Sharpton filed documents in her litigation blaming Usher and his legal team of "dilatory tactics and failure to cooperate in scheduling a mediation."
So legal questions dogging the singer and actor since last year don't look like they're going away any time soon.
U Got It Bad
Beginning in July of 2017, legal documents began leaking alleging that Usher has been carrying the herpes virus since 2010 and has infected several sexual partners since. He allegedly paid off a former babysitter with $1.1 million in 2012. New Orleans jazz singer Laura Helm sued Usher in 2017 for $20 million claiming he exposed her to the virus without her knowledge or consent. A couple, identified only as John and Jane Doe, also sued the singer last year based on the same allegations.
In this case, Quantasia Sharpton claimed multiple counts of negligence and infliction of emotional distress after Usher allegedly gave her herpes. The singer, for his part, has denied all the claims and moved to dismiss the suits. Sharpton allegedly admitted she tested negative for the STD while her attorney Lisa Bloom conceded she didn't know for sure if Usher had the disease.
Hush
It's another of Sharpton's lawyers, Jivaka Candappa according to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, claiming Usher's legal team has taken up to a week to respond to mediation scheduling requests, if they responded at all. Candappa claims Usher's attorneys scheduled court dates without informing him beforehand and delayed procuring the "necessary people" for the parties to meet another mediation deadline.
Whether dragging their feet on court dates will allow the singer to dance out of legal liability remains to be seen. Most STD suits are not tidy affairs.
Related Resources:
- Usher Sued by Fans Who Say He Exposed Them to Herpes Without Warning (Los Angeles Times)
- Charlie Sheen Is HIV Positive, Raising Questions About Disclosure Laws (FindLaw's Celebrity Justice)
- Real World Cast Member Contract: MTV is Not Liable for Your STDs (FindLaw's Celebrity Justice)
- Dan Bilzerian Sues Website for Comment Section STD Accusation (FindLaw's Celebrity Justice)
