Summary: This morning, actor Charlie Sheen revealed on the “Today” show that he has HIV and has paid millions to past lovers to keep his secret for the past four years.
Charlie Sheen’s wild lifestyle has finally caught up to him. This morning, Sheen appeared on “Today” to inform the world of his health status, although media outlets released the news on Monday.
On “Today,” Sheen described that he had paid out millions to former lovers in order to keep his secret. “That is money taken away from my kids,” he said.
The 50-year-old shared that he had known of the disease for four years, and that after today, he was ending the barrage of “shakedowns” he endured to keep his secret.
“I think that I release myself from this prison today,” he said.
Sheen stated that he did not believed he had transmitted the disease to others. He said he had unprotected sex with two people while being treated by doctors, and he said that he has disclosed his HIV status to all his lovers.
Sheen’s former girlfriend Natalie Kenly supported his statement. She believes that he practiced safe sex with his partners.
“He has regard for human beings and cares about people. I do not see him knowingly putting women at risk,” Kenly told PEOPLE.
News of Sheen’s HIV status was both a surprise and not a surprise to fans, who were well aware of his problems with drug use and prostitution.
PEOPLE reports that Hollywood publicist Howard Bragman is handling the crisis and believes that Sheen may still face lawsuits.
“The interview could open up a lot of sympathy for him, but he has to be concerned about a fear of litigation from former sexual partners. You don’t take that lightly,” Bergman said.
According to the ACLU, many states require people who are HIV positive to disclose their statuses to their partners. In California where Sheen resides, it is a misdemeanor to not disclose one’s status. However, it is a felony, punishable for three to eight years, if someone with HIV does not disclose their status to their partners because they intend to infect them.
Although Sheen acknowledges his HIV status, he has told friends that the disease is now “undetectable.” His doctor appeared on the Today show and echoed a similar sentiment that Sheen is healthy.
A source told PEOPLE that his ex-wife Denise Richards knew of his diagnosis, and that Sheen was infected after they divorced. The source says Richards and their children are HIV negative.
Source: http://m.tmz.com/#article/2015/11/16/charlie-sheen-hiv-lawsuits-settlement/
Source: http://www.people.com/article/charlie-sheen-hiv-positive
Source: http://www.people.com/article/charlie-sheen-says-no-trace-hiv-blood
Source: http://www.nytimes.com/2015/11/18/business/charlie-sheen-hiv-positive.html?_r=0