Ex-Staffer Alleges Abusive Workplace and Witnessed Physical Assault in Denise Richards Protective Order Case
The legal dispute between actress Denise Richards and her estranged spouse, Aaron Phypers, regarding a protective order escalated after a relative and ex-staffer gave damaging testimony against him, as Us Weekly has learned.
On Wednesday, October 8, Dr. Kathleen McAllister, Phypers’ cousin and former employee at his health enterprise, appeared in court to testify for the second occasion.
Within the courtroom, before both Richards and Phypers, McAllister recounted her employment with Phypers at his now-closed Malibu wellness facility between 2017 and 2022, stating her role was “supporting his aspirations and ventures.”
She asserted that the workplace was an “exceptionally abusive” setting and described Phypers as “manipulative.” McAllister alleged that Phypers attempted to cultivate her “financial reliance” on him.
“I undeniably served as his [Aaron’s] source of credibility” at the establishment, McAllister stated.
McAllister, present on a work visa, additionally charged Phypers with declining to extend her visa and denied termination, explaining, “I departed from him to renew [the work visa], which was due then, and he had pretended he would handle it, then he stopped all communication,” she informed the court.
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Richards’ attorney inquired of McAllister regarding her most recent conversation with Richards. The physician replied that it was upon her departure from the office in May 2022, citing her unwillingness to continue employment in an “abusive atmosphere.”
Phypers operated a wellness center called Quantum 360 Club, which is presently the subject of a legal dispute concerning purported outstanding financial obligations. The facility has since ceased operations.
McAllister initially testified on Monday, October 6 – the inaugural day of the hearing – as Richards, 54, endeavors to obtain a permanent protective order against Phypers, citing alleged mistreatment. Phypers, 53, steadfastly refuted these accusations.
On her initial day of testimony, McAllister, summoned by Richards as a witness, recounted seeing Phypers inflict a black eye on The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills veteran in 2022.
“I observed Aaron strike Denise, and she instantly developed a severe black eye,” McAllister stated on Monday. “I remain truly shocked by it even now.”
McAllister asserted that Phypers struck Richards with his open hand, as reported by People. “[Denise] was stunned, and so was I,” she informed the court.
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McAllister described the escalation of an argument between the then-couple before it became violent. She alleged that Phypers was accusing Richards of installing “surveillance devices” within his residence. She recounted, “It was a night marked by disorder and intensifying disputes.”
McAllister testified that she had witnessed Phypers mistreat Richards on additional instances, such as when he “forced” Richards “against the concrete barrier near where his vehicle was parked at the premises.” She alleged, “He was strangling her, and her head hit the [wall] with force, resulting in a concussion.”
Phypers refuted McAllister’s allegations when he testified on Wednesday, October 8. He stated he did not strike Richards and was unaware of any purported injury she sustained. He claimed she injured her eye, but he was not present when the incident occurred. “She stated she stumbled and collided with a post,” Phypers asserted.
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He mentioned she was consuming tequila that evening but did not observe the quantity. He noted she seemed inebriated and was “incapable of stable locomotion.” He conceded McAllister was there that night but was uncertain if she witnessed Richards injure her eye.
As Us had earlier conveyed, Richards also gave evidence in court regarding the purported abuse.
Phypers had previously addressed Richards’ assertions with Us.
He informed Us, “These allegations are entirely untrue and profoundly distressing. Denise and I, similar to numerous relationships, have encountered our portion of difficulties, yet any insinuation of mistreatment is absolutely baseless.”
