Before The Bacteria: Hugh Hefner & The Playboy Mansion In The 1960s (PHOTOS)

Playboy empire founder and cool octogenarian Hugh Hefner's legacy was nearly tarnished when guests of the aging polyamorist started complaining about illnesses after leaving his storied mansion in Los Angeles.

Turns out the the mystery illness was bacteria related.

According to Los Angeles County health officials, the bacteria that causes Legionnaires' disease was found in a hot tub. Scores of people became ill at the Mansion after attending a fundraiser there in February. The legionella bacteria also causes a milder illness called Pontiac fever. Symptoms include fever and headache.

The news comes several days before never before seen photos of the aging lothario, who turned 83 last week, surfaced. In the photos, made at the Playboy Mansion in Chicago during the 1960s by a Magnum photographer (appropriate, no?) Hef is seen lounging with bikini clad Bunnies and editing copies of the magazine.

Check some of them out after the break.

Above: Hugh Hefner with a Bunny at the Playboy Mansion in Chicago in 1966.