Dr. Dre sued for $10 million

A psychotherapist sued Dr. Dre for $10 million claiming he had suffered “unbearable harassment.” According to Rolling Stone, the rapper launched a “systematic and malicious” attack on the doctor, which led him to wear a bulletproof vest and fear for his life.

The doctor Charles Sophiaa luminary in his field, filed a lawsuit in Los Angeles County Superior Court, alleging that Dre, born Andre Young, hired him in 2018 to mediate the breakup of his marriage to now-ex-wife Nicole Young. Sophy says she worked “diligently, independently and fairly” and that the relationship ended when the couple reached a settlement in 2021.

14 months later, Dre allegedly texted Sophy, accusing him of acting improperly. “Rather than treat the mediation process as an opportunity for healing, Young decided to take out his frustrations on Dr. Sophy – frustrations that manifested themselves in the form of a sustained nearly year-long campaign of nightly texts, threats of intimidation and violence and homophobic rhetoric,” the lawsuit documents read. Dre’s attorney, Howard King, gave Rolling Stone a statement saying that Dre filed a “confidential complaint” against Sophy with the Osteopathic Medical Board of California last year to “make Dr. Sophy be punished for negligence and incredible incompetence.”

The rapper’s lawyer added: “The complaint seeks the revocation of Dr. Sophy’s license to provide mental health counseling to indigent patients. In gross violation of all applicable standards of care, Dr. Sophy inserted himself into a contentious divorce while simultaneously “grooming” not only Mr. and Mrs. Young, but also their children. He was sacked when it was revealed he was pushing one of his sons to stand against Mr Young, even encouraging him to go to the press with false accusations to force a financial deal he recommended. Dr Sophy has always rebuffed the Medical Association’s attempts to investigate these claims, but has now brought this desperate lawsuit as the Medical Association’s noose tightens.”

In Sophy’s lawsuit, seen by Rolling Stone, Sophy claims she received an “overtly threatening” text from Dre around 10pm on February 16, 2023, in which he claimed someone had said something “disturbing” to him and that Sophy would “have to pay for it.” When Sophy expressed concerns, Dre responded, “Yeah, you” and “You’re a piece of shit.” The next morning Sophy wrote: “Good morning, I have no idea what you are referring to and would be willing to discuss at any time. Thanks.” Dre replied, “You fucked up!!! FYI, I love being underestimated.” Sophy says Dre “falsely accused” him of trying to turn an unidentified third party against him, and says Dre “falsely accused” him of acting improperly during divorce mediation.

Another message arrived on March 5, 2023, reading: “What happened Doc? I thought you wanted to talk. Have you lost your tongue? You’ll have to give me a written apology. Otherwise, I’ll move on. I’m not playing, trust me.”

In June 2023, Dre allegedly attempted to have Sophy illegally reveal confidential information obtained during a therapy session with a third person. Sophy says she refused and “again tried to stay calm and hoped that Young’s threats, harassment and intimidation would stop.” Dre sent another “disturbing and chilling text message” on August 4, 2023, threatening, “Don’t worry, I’m not over you.” Sophy says this “particularly sinister” message made him “fear for his life more than ever”.

The doctor claims that after the first messages were sent, in February 2023, a security guard at his residential community called him and reported that individuals posing as FBI agents were “asking to be brought to the residence Dr. Sophy to ‘talk’ to him.” Sophy says she believes they were trying to gain access to her residence and “sending the unmistakable message” that Sophy was not safe even in the “privacy of her home.”

The complaint states that “Dr. Sophy lives in constant fear. He wears a bulletproof vest every time he sets foot outside, is afraid to leave the house and is constantly looking over his shoulder. The severity of Young’s persistent harassing behavior forced Dr. Sophy to seek redress and protection. No one should live in constant fear. But Dr. Sophy does so, ironically, because she tried to help Young resolve his family’s conflict.” In the lawsuit, the party seeks compensation of at least $10 million and punitive damages that will be decided at trial. It also contains claims for civil harassment, threats of violence based on his sexual orientation and a court order banning contact.

Charles Joseph Sophy (born 1960) is an American psychiatrist. He is a former medical director of the Los Angeles County Department of Children and Family Services. He is also a member of the advisory board for the Dr. Phil show and is a frequent guest on the show and other television programs, including CNN, Today, HLN and Dr. Drew.

He has many famous clients and has worked with Paris Hilton, Michael Jackson and Mel B.. Elliot Rodger (an American student responsible for a mass shooting in 2014) named Sophy as his psychiatrist in a 138-page typed manifesto sent to KEYT- TV and other media before the 2014 Isla Vista murders. Sophy was among a dozen people who received a copy of the manifesto from Rodger in the mail. Sophy prescribed Rodger risperidone. He did not take the drug, writing that “after researching this drug, I discovered that it was the wrong thing for me to take. I refused to take it and have never seen Dr. Sophy since.”