Surfing Legend Allen Sarlo's Ex Sues Him for Contracting Herpes

A professional surfer is being sued by a woman who alleges she contracted herpes from him during their relationship.

Mary Bigler filed the lawsuit Tuesday in Los Angeles Superior Court against Allen Sarlo. Her allegations include battery, negligence, emotional distress and misrepresentation. She seeks at least $5 million.

A representative for Sarlo could not be immediately reached.

According to the lawsuit, Sarlo was married with two children when he and Bigler began a relationship shortly after she moved to Malibu, where the surfer already resided. Before the relationship became sexual in nature, Bigler asked Sarlo if he had any sexually transmitted diseases, the suit states.

Sarlo said he was free of any such diseases and that his wife was the only woman he had been with the past 25 years, according to the lawsuit. Sarlo assured Bigler he had no STDs, the suit states.

Sarlo took Bigler with him to surfing contests around the world, the suit states.

She found out she had herpes in May, according to the suit.

"After engaging in sexual intercourse with Sarlo, Bigler tested positive for an STD, including herpes, the suit states.    

"It was later learned by Ms. Bigler that during the course of her relationship with Mr. Sarlo that he was engaging in sexual relations with other women, including a young girl he met at a surf shop ... to whom he also transmitted herpes."

After Bigler told Sarlo he gave her herpes, he "agreed and/or acknowledged that he had done this," the suit states.

Sarlo told the plaintiff last summer that the girl he allegedly infected with the STD sent an email to his wife telling her that she contracted herpes from him, the suit states.

--City News Service