HOLLYWOOD, Calif. — Roberto Alomar spoke out for the first time Wednesday after an ex-girlfriend filed a lawsuit against him, claiming he had unprotected sex with her for four years despite having AIDS.
"This is a very private, personal matter and I greatly appreciate all the support I have received in the past few days from my family, friends and colleagues in baseball," the former baseball star said in a statement to The Associated Press. "I am in very good health and I ask that you respect my privacy during this time."
Alomar's former girlfriend, Ilya Dall, filed a civil suit on Jan. 30 that alleges the career .300 hitter demanded unprotected sex with her despite showing obvious signs of AIDS, a disease she claims he later tested positive for.
Dall has not tested positive for HIV, the virus that causes AIDS, but is demanding at least $15 million in damages.
In his brief statement, the 10-time Golden Glove winner said the lawsuit is "filled with lies."
"I am deeply saddened that someone I cared for would make such terrible accusations and try to hurt me in this way," said Alomar.
In her suit, Dall says the couple began dating in spring 2002 and went on to have unprotected sex for the next four years. She claims Alomar refused to get tested despite showing several symptoms associated with AIDS, including fatigue and sores on his mouth and throat.
Dall claims Alomar later gave in and tested positive for HIV in February 2006.
Alomar's attorney, Charles Bach, told the New York Daily News the allegations are "frivolous and baseless."
Alomar's father, Sandy Alomar Sr., also spoke out about the claims, saying he saw his son on Monday and he "wasn't sick."
"The only thing that I can tell you is that this is news to us," he told ESPN. "When a person is sick like that, wouldn't he have to be in the hospital? I haven't seen my son sick like that. I am confident that he is fine.
"We are a family. We are very close, a family that is united. I am sure my son is fine. Other than that, we are going to let the lawyers handle it."
Alomar started his baseball career with the San Diego Padres in 1988. He retired from the game in 2005, having also played for the Toronto Blue Jays, Baltimore Orioles, Cleveland Indians, New York Mets, Arizona Diamondbacks and Chicago White Sox.
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