Posted Tuesday, April 24, 2018 by RODNEY HO/rho@ajc.com on Melissa Ruggieri's AJC Music Scene blog
In a lawsuit filed this week, Fulton County woman has accused singer Usher that he gave her herpes without her knowledge.
Laura Michelle Helm alleged that, "as a result of the sexual relationship with the Herpes SV2 stricken defendant, Plaintiff herself, was infected with the incurable disease and forced to live with not only the health effects of the incurable disease but also the stigma that is associated with it."
Helm in the lawsuit identified herself as an Atlanta resident who had worked most recently at a radio station, "brand ambassador, owner of product lines and as a singer." She has never been married or pregnant.
She wrote that she and Usher were platonic friends until "on or about the end of 2016 through the beginning of 2017 when Defendant began overtly and continually seeking a sexual interest."
According to the lawsuit filed in Fulton County Superior Court, she had sex with him on two occasions in 2017, once using a condom and once without. Both times also involved oral sex without protection. Soon after, she noticed bumps on her cheek and in her vagina. Concerned, she went on the Internet in July and discovered news about Usher's herpes issues. She had tests taken and found out she had herpes as well soon after, the lawsuit said.
She listed multiple counts of negligence, fraud and intentional and negligent infliction of emotional distress. She also accused him of assault, saying he forced her to have unprotected oral sex without her consent.
She is seeking unspecified punitive damages.
Four previous woman have accused Usher of the same thing in previous lawsuits.
In one case, he settled a lawsuit for $1 million for giving a woman herpes, according to documents received by RadarOnline.
Usher separated from his wife Grace Miguel in March after two years of marriage.
Credit: Getty Images
Credit: Getty Images
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