Morales Denies Ex-Girlfriend's Claims

Actor Esai Morales poses for photographers at the Imagen Awards in Beverly Hills, Calif., in this Aug. 26, 2004 file photo. Morales was sued Thursday, July 19, 2007, in Los Angeles Superior Court by an ex-girlfriend who alleges the former "NYPD Blue" star assaulted her and gave her herpes. (AP Photo/Matt Sayles, file) (Matt Sayles - AP)

LOS ANGELES -- Esai Morales has rejected allegations by an ex-girlfriend who sued the "NYPD Blue" star, claiming he assaulted her and gave her herpes.

"The charges that have been leveled against me are absolutely false and without merit and I am prepared to vigorously defend myself and my reputation," the 44-year-old actor wrote in an entry posted Monday on his MySpace page.

Morales' online remarks were confirmed by his publicist, Howard Bragman.

The Superior Court lawsuit filed Thursday by Elizabeth Mazzocchi alleged intentional and negligent transmission of a sexually transmitted disease, assault, battery and breach of oral contract.

The lawsuit accuses Morales of a "systematic pattern of abuse" against Mazzocchi, "including a forcible rape." It also claims Morales knew he had herpes and never told Mazzocchi.

"We are looking forward to having our day in court," Mazzocchi's attorney, Gloria Allred, said in response to Morales' MySpace posting.

Morales appeared in the movies "Bad Boys" and "La Bamba," and played Lt. Tony Rodriguez on the TV series "NYPD Blue."

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On the Net:

MySpace:

http://www.myspace.com/esaimorales