Dr. Charles Sophy, a prominent divorce psychotherapist from Southern California, has filed a lawsuit against rapper and entrepreneur Dr. Dre, accusing him of “systematic and malicious” harassment and threats. The lawsuit, filed on Wednesday, seeks a minimum of $10 million in damages.

Dr. Sophy alleges that he was subjected to relentless harassment from Dr. Dre, which escalated to such an extreme that he feared for his safety and began wearing a bulletproof vest. He claims that Dr. Dre’s actions left him in constant fear for his life.

According to the lawsuit, the issues began when Dr. Dre, whose real name is Andre Young, hired Dr. Sophy in 2018 to help mediate his divorce from his now ex-wife, Nicole Young. Dr. Sophy claims he worked diligently and impartially to assist the couple in resolving their differences, ultimately helping them settle in 2021.

However, approximately 14 months later, Dr. Dre allegedly began sending late-night text messages, accusing Dr. Sophy of improper conduct during the mediation. The lawsuit states that instead of seeing the mediation as a chance for healing, Dre directed his frustration at Dr. Sophy, launching a nearly year-long campaign of intimidation. These messages included threats of violence and homophobic remarks, adding another layer of emotional distress.

In response, Dr. Dre’s lawyer, Howard King, offered a different perspective. He revealed that Dre had already filed a confidential complaint with the Osteopathic Medical Board of California last year, accusing Dr. Sophy of “dereliction of duties and incredible incompetence.” King stated that Dre sought to have Dr. Sophy’s medical license revoked, accusing the psychotherapist of inserting himself into the divorce while simultaneously treating both Dre and Nicole Young, as well as their children.

King further claimed that Dr. Sophy had been encouraging one of the Young children to turn against Dre, even urging the son to go public with false allegations to force a financial settlement. Dre’s legal team alleges that Dr. Sophy has been avoiding the medical board’s investigation into these claims, which they believe casts doubt on his professional ethics.

Dr. Sophy, however, paints a different picture. He recounts receiving a particularly threatening text from Dre on the night of February 16, 2023, in which the rapper suggested that something “disturbing” had been brought to his attention and that Dr. Sophy would “have to pay for it.” When Dr. Sophy asked for clarification, Dre responded with further insults, calling him a “piece of s–t.”

In the lawsuit, Dr. Sophy insists that Dre’s accusations are baseless and false, stating that there is no truth to the claim that he tried to manipulate a third party against Dre during the divorce mediation. He also alleges that despite his attempts to move past the threats, Dre refused to back down, continuing to harass him.

Dr. Sophy’s lawsuit includes claims of civil harassment and threats of violence, some of which he says were motivated by his sexual orientation. In addition to seeking at least $10 million in compensatory damages, the lawsuit demands punitive damages, which will be determined at trial. Dr. Sophy is also requesting a court order to prohibit any further contact with Dr. Dre.

This legal battle sheds light on a contentious and escalating conflict between the two men, with accusations of professional misconduct and personal vendettas on both sides. The outcome could have significant repercussions, not only for Dr. Dre’s reputation but also for Dr. Sophy’s career.

Source: USAToday