It must be the season for Hollywood celebrity sex scandals. With the American media still buzzing over the David Letterman extortion plot, news has broken that “Dr. Phil” (aka Doctor Philip McGraw), everyone’s favourite patronising TV shrink, is being sued by a former patient on charges of sexual harassment, fraud and alleged ‘brainwashing’.
Shirley Dieu alleges that, while as a patient of the self-help guru, she was “held against her will” in his practice in 2007, during which time she was “forced to be in the same room as completely naked live man (employed by McGraw) while he exposed his entire naked body”. Staff members allegedly “blocked” her escape and disconnected her phone when she tried to call the police.
That’s not where it ends, however, with the lawsuit then going on to claim that Dieu was subjected to both “brainwashing” and “public ridicule and humiliation” when being forced to watch videotapes of her which had been creatively edited to misrepresent her personality. She also alleges that the Doctor and several of his associates deprived her of food and sleep and mentally and physically abused her, such as being “touched inappropriately by different defendants”, including McGraw.
Dieu is sueing for unlimited general damages, punitive damages, exemplary damages and fees and court costs for the “sustained personal injuries and mental anguish due to unethical and illegal practices.” Dr. Phil has since issued a statement saying “All of Shirley Dieu’s claims are without merit… Ms Dieu filed a claim with the Los Angeles Police Department some 9 months after the incident, which was investigated and ultimately not pursued by the Los Angeles City Attorney. All guests of the show are treated with dignity and respect.”
