Thursday, October 10, 2024 - Music mogul, Dr. Dre is being sued for at least $10 million by a psychotherapist in Southern California over claims he subjected him to a “systematic and malicious” barrage of “unbearable harassment” that left him wearing a bulletproof vest and fearing for his life.
In a new lawsuit filed in Los Angeles County Superior Court,
Dr. Charles Sophy alleges Dre, born Andre Young, hired him in 2018
to mediate the breakdown of his decades-long marriage to his now
ex-wife, Nicole Young. Sophy says he worked “diligently, independently and
fairly” to help the couple resolve their disputes and ceased communication with
Dre when the pair reached a settlement in late 2021.
The doctor says that about 14 months later, Dre started
texting him out of the blue with allegations the doctor had somehow acted
improperly — allegations the doctor denies.
“Rather than treating the mediation process as an
opportunity for healing, Young decided to take his frustrations about the
mediation out on Dr. Sophy — frustrations that manifested themselves in the
form of a nearly year-long sustained campaign of late-night texts, threats of
intimidation and violence, and homophobic rhetoric,” the lawsuit states.
In a statement, Dre’s lawyer Howard King tells Rolling
Stone that Dre previously filed a “confidential complaint” against
Sophy with the Osteopathic Medical Board of California last year seeking “to
get Dr. Sophy punished for dereliction of duties and incredible incompetence.”
“That complaint seeks revocation of Dr. Sophy’s license to
provide mental health counseling to needy patients. In gross violation of all
applicable standards of care, Dr. Sophy inserted himself into a contentious
divorce while he simultaneously ‘treated’ not only Mr. and Mrs. Young, but
their children. He was terminated when it was revealed that he was encouraging
one of their children to take sides against Mr. Young, even encouraging his son
to go to the press with false allegations in order to force a financial
settlement that he recommended,” King claims in the statement. “Dr. Sophy has
consistently rebuffed Medical Board attempts to investigate these claims, but
has now filed this desperate suit while the noose of the Medical Board is
tightening.”
According to Sophy’s 22-page lawsuit signed by his lawyer
Christopher Frost and obtained by Rolling Stone, Sophy says Dre
sent him an “overtly threatening” text around 10 p.m. on Feb. 16, 2023, in
which he claimed someone told him something “disturbing” and that Sophy was
“going to have to pay for that.” Sophy says he replied, “Excuse me,” and
shortly after that, Dre allegedly responded, “Yes you,” and, “You’re a piece of
shit.”
Sophy says he “tried to remain calm” and attempted to
“defuse the situation.” He says he responded the next day with, “Good morning I
have no idea what you are referring to and would make myself available to
discuss anytime. Thank you.” He says Dre “doubled down” with a follow-up
message that read, “You fucked up!! Just so you know, I love being
underestimated.”
Sophy says Dre “falsely accused” him of trying to turn an
unidentified third party against him. He says Dre “wrongfully accused” him of
acting improperly during the divorce mediation.
“There is no truth behind these baseless and far-fetched
accusations,” the new lawsuit states. “Dr. Sophy tried to let the threats go
and not pursue them. Young however, would not let go.”
According to the complaint, Dre sent another text on March
5, 2023, that read, “What happened Doc? I thought you wanted to talk. Cat go
your tongue? You’re going to have to give me a written apology. If not, I’m
moving forward. I’m not playing, trust me.”
Sophy claims that in June 2023, Dre tried to force him to
unlawfully disclose confidential information obtained during a therapy session
with a third party. Sophy says he refused and “again tried to stay calm and
hope that Young’s threats, harassment and intimidation would stop.”
On Aug. 4, 2023, Dre sent another “disturbing and chilling
text message” in which he allegedly threatened, “Don’t worry I haven’t
forgotten about you,” the lawsuit states. Sophy claims the “particularly
sinister” text left him “more fearful for his life than ever before.”
The doctor claims that in February 2023, “immediately after
the initial texts were sent,” he received a strange call from a security guard
at his gated community saying individuals claiming to be FBI agents were
“requesting to be led into Dr. Sophy’s residence to ‘talk’ to him.”
The doctor says he believes the people were impersonating
agents to gain access to his residence and “send the unmistakable message” that
Sophy wasn’t safe even in “the sanctity of his home.”
“Dr. Sophy lives in constant fear. He wears a bulletproof
vest anytime he steps foot outside, is afraid to leave his home and is
constantly looking over his shoulder. The egregiousness of Young’s persistent
harassing behavior has compelled Dr. Sophy to seek redress and protection,” the
lawsuit states.
“Nobody should have to live in constant fear. But Dr. Sophy
does — ironically for no other reason than he tried to help Young to resolve
his own family’s conflict.”
The lawsuit includes claims for civil harassment, threat of
violence based on his sexual orientation, and a court order prohibiting
contact.
He’s seeking compensatory damages of at least $10 million
and punitive damages to be decided at trial.
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