LOS ANGELES, Oct 10 — A Southern California psychotherapist is suing rapper Dr Dre for at least US$10 million (RM43 million), alleging a sustained campaign of “unbearable harassment” that left him wearing a bulletproof vest and fearing for his life. Dr Charles Sophy filed the lawsuit in Los Angeles County Superior Court, claiming that the “systematic and malicious” harassment began after he mediated Dre’s divorce from his now ex-wife, Nicole Young, according to a report published in Rolling Stone magazine yesterday. Dr Sophy asserts that he was hired in 2018 to facilitate discussions during the couple’s protracted separation.
He claims he worked “diligently, independently, and fairly” to help resolve their disputes until the couple reached a settlement in late 2021. However, about 14 months later, Dre allegedly began sending Dr Sophy a barrage of threatening texts, prompting the therapist to take legal action. The lawsuit outlines that instead of treating the mediation process as an opportunity for healing, Dre, born Andre Young, chose to direct his frustrations toward Sophy.
It goes on to describe a nearly year-long campaign of late-night messages, threats, and homophobic rhetoric. In response, Dre’s lawyer, Howard King, stated that Dre had previously filed a “confidential complaint” against Dr Sophy with the Osteopathic Medical Board of California “to get Dr Sophy punished for dereliction of duties and incredible incompetence.” “That complaint .