April 12 - American Olympic medallist Darren Chiacchia (pictured) will face trial in June on charges for allegedly exposing his former partner to HIV multiple times without telling him of his condition.



The 2004 Olympic bronze medallist, who was charged in January, faces up to 30 years in prison under Florida law if he is found guilty at the trial.

His former male sexual partner filed a complaint, claiming he found medical records stating Chiacchia was positive for HIV, the virus that causes AIDS, and never told him.

Chiacchia helped the United States eventing team bronze at the Athens Olympics  in 2004 but missed the Games in Beijing in 2008 after he was involved in a riding accident which left him in a coma.

It  was while he was being treated for his injuries that it was discovered he was HIV positive.

The Sheriff's Office in Marion County, Florida, and prosecutors have subpoenaed Chiacchia's medical records, interviewed friends, and collected text and e-mail messages during the investigation.

A Florida law passed in 1997 says people with HIV must inform their sexual partners of their condition otherwise it is considered a felony.


Related stories
January 2010:
Olympic medallist charged for not telling sexual partner he was HIV