Brooks Ayers Speaks Out on Forging Cancer Records, Vicki Gunvalson and RHOC Controversy: 'I Was the Subject of Much Ridicule and Hate'

People.com:

Brooks Ayers is opening up after admitting in November he forged medical records relating to his cancer diagnosis.

In an exclusive statement to PEOPLE, Ayers details how the public scrutiny that came with appearing on four seasons of Real Housewives of Orange County alongside ex Vicki Gunvalson made him "the subject of much ridicule and hate," and ultimately contributed to the end of his relationship with Gunvalson.

"I have made my share of mistakes which I regret. I pride myself in apologizing when I am wrong or have wronged others either intentionally or unintentionally," Ayers says in the statement. "Through the first five years of dating Vicki, I was coined as a con man, low life, gold digger, dead beat, etc.  Nothing could be further from the truth in reality, yet this alone makes for great TV and for controversy."

In November, Ayers admitted he had forged documents to make it appear he had been a patient at cancer hospital City of Hope. At the time, he apologized and said he faked the documents because he did not want to disclose his real medical records. The revelation came after his cancer diagnosis had been called into question by some of Gunvalson's RHOC costars, with the diagnosis becoming major storyline on the show. Ayers maintains he was diagnosed with stage 3 non-Hodgkin lymphoma in 2013. 

In his statement to PEOPLE, Ayers denies speculation that Gunvalson encouraged him to forge the cancer documents or sought to use his illness as a storyline on RHOC. Ayers says when he received a cancer diagnosis in 2013, he attempted to keep it a secret. He told Gunvalson but asked her not to share the news publicly.

"However, Vicki felt compelled to share a private email later that night with Tamra Judge and Lauri Peterson along with a text to Shannon Beador asking for all of their support during this time rather than conflict. I was not okay with that at all when I found out about it, however the information about my diagnosis was out," says Ayers.  

RELATED: Vicki Gunvalson Denies Sending Brooks Ayers A Cease And Desist Letter, Despite Reports She Did