Dr. Phil is being sued but a woman who claims he brainwashed and groped her. There are a couple of ways to handle this story. We could try the tabloid, National Enquirer way (“Dr. Phil Sex Shocker”) or we try the we-always-side-with-celebrities way, like People Magazine (“Dr. Phil Slapped with Bizarre Brainwashing Lawsuit”). Let’s try to take Dr. Phil’s side for a brief moment, and go along with People that the woman is a wingnut. People makes a good case for it:
A woman has filed a lawsuit in Los Angeles Superior Court against Dr. Phil McGraw, two producers and another doctor in what she alleges is a case of false imprisonment, practicing without a license, indecent exposure, battery, fraud and more.
Shirley Rae Dieu, 56, of Irvine, Calif., claims she was seeking therapy from Dr. Phil in his Hollywood office in 2007 when she allegedly was held captive and “forced to be in the same room with a completely live naked man while he exposed his entire naked body, genitals and all,” according to her filing.
Dieu further alleges she was deprived of sleep and food, “brainwashed” and “subjected to edited tapings depicting her as a different personality other than her own.” On Oct. 9, 2007, she claims Dr. Phil touched her left breast during a therapy session.
Representatives for McGraw did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
“[Dr. Phil] is nothing like what he’s like on TV,” Dieu told PEOPLE by phone, adding that another woman will be joining her suit. “You have no idea what I and this other woman went through.”
It’s unclear how much she is seeking in damages but Dieu – who filed a malpractice suit against an Orange County hospital in 2002 and sued a car dealership in 2007 – is acting as her own attorney, and her filing is filled with misspellings and grammatical errors. Records also show she filed for bankruptcy in May 2008.
This is not the first time someone has tried to haul Dr. Phil, 59, into court. In 2006, he was sued by two men who claimed he implied they were suspects in the Natalee Holloway case. In 2005, he was sued by three consumers of a diet pill he endorsed.
[From People]
Well, when they put it that way, how could I not think the woman is a wingnut? But let’s hear the wingnut out! The Enquirer has a few more details on just what Shirley Rae Dieu is alleging. Dieu is also claiming that Dr. Phil held her “captive” and that when she tried to escape, she “was blocked by the staff to prevent her from leaving.” And that’s about it. It’s a weird lawsuit, and I bet it’s bullsh-t for the most part. I hate that I’m taking Dr. Phil’s side, though. I think that man’s an asshat, and I wouldn’t past him to sexually harass, grope, fondle or act inappropriately with his patients or his coworkers. He looks like that kind of guy.
Here’s Dr. Phil with wife Robin attending ‘A Night of Honour’ which benefits The Iraq Star Foundation in Universal City, California on Sunday. Images thanks to WENN.com .
Whether it is true or not I have always found him rather sleazy in a car salesman way. Also he seems so full of himself so I would not put it past him to think his way-whatever it involves-is the only way.
Two things can be true at the same time. She may be a wingnut, but he’s definitely a fraud.
I agree with you Leni. That is the same vibe I get about this character.
He is definitely sleazy or something. Creepy, even.
This woman sounds a little wacky and a past history of several lawsuits doesn’t help her much, but who knows?
He rode in on the coat-tails of Oprah. Now he needs to ride back out again and take his sleezy talkshow with him.
what’s the big deal? He can make plenty of money to pay for the lawyers by selling ad space on his forehead :/
The previous law suits, the really bizarre accusations – aside from her claim he touched her breast, and the fact she is acting as her own attorney. If she had a remotely believable or provable case someone like Gloria Allred would swoop in and defended the poor, abused woman from the bad, evil and famous man.
Their a quite a few attorneys that seek the media spotlight and if this was even partly true it would get a lot of attention.
Doesn’t change my opinion of him thought. Why him Oprah?
kathy griffin talked about dr. phil in her act. she said he is totally sleazy and was hitting on jane fonda at some charity event. ni-ice.
Creepiness…
Haven’t there been rumours about Dr. Phil and female patients for years now?
Dr. Phil might be sleazy but Shirley sounds like she has some dementia going on. She probably does believe that’s what happened. (I witnessed a similar situation in someone with alcohol dementia and encephalopathy. He swore that the hospital hot wired the floor with electricity and the nurses wore sidearms. And I mean he totally believed it for days. Then the fog lifted.)
I assume he can hypnotise people and make them do weird stuff. That’s the only thing that could account for his wife’s cockeyed eyebrows.
oh yea….. Fur sure…. He definately can handle my brainwashed breasts too…. And i’m a man…..!
L.O.L.
I like Dr Phil – i think he is just an easy target for useless, trashy, broke, old ass women.
This woman, Shirley Rae Dieu, who will be broke when she retires, unless she’s able to sue some rich guy…..is obviously desperate for some cash and is now taking advantage of the fact that Phil “happens” to see clients and does not lock himself away as a “celeb” with body guards and shit ……..
Shirley is a loser …
Isn’t it true that before Oprah discovered him that “Dr.” Phil had multiple lawsuits for the very same thing in Texas? Sounds like a pattern to me.
By the way, he’s not a doctor. He’s a psychologist. In my experience as a psychiatrist every time a non-MD calls themselves “Dr.” there’s something wrong with the whole picture.