The legal dispute between Denise Richards and her estranged spouse, Aaron Phypers, regarding a restraining order escalated as a relative and former employee of Phypers testified against him, according to a report by Us Weekly.
On Wednesday, October 8, Phypers’ cousin and former staff member of his wellness business, Dr. Kathleen McAllister, testified for the second time.
While under oath, McAllister recounted her experience working at Phypers’ now-closed wellness center in Malibu from 2017 to 2022, during which she claimed to have been “supporting his dreams and business.”
She described the workplace as “incredibly abusive” and claimed that Phypers demonstrated manipulative behavior, attempting to make her “financially dependent” on him.
Aaron Phypers and Denise Richards. John Lamparski/Getty Images
“I was absolutely his [Aaron’s] foundation of credibility” at the facility, claimed McAllister.
Currently in the U.S. on a work visa, she further accused Phypers of refusing to renew it and claimed she was not fired, stating, “I left him to renew [the work visa] and it was due to be done at the time and he acted like he was going to do it, and he ghosted me,” during her testimony.
When questioned by Richards’ attorney about her last conversation with her, McAllister revealed it was in May 2022, when she resigned due to not wanting to remain in an “abusive environment.”
Phypers is currently embroiled in a legal battle over his wellness center, Quantum 360 Club, which has shut down due to alleged unpaid debts.
McAllister’s initial testimony occurred on Monday, October 6, during the first day of court proceedings, where Richards, aged 54, seeks to obtain a long-term restraining order against Phypers, citing instances of alleged abuse. Phypers, 53, has staunchly denied the allegations.
Aaron Phypers and Denise Richards. Robin L Marshall/Getty Images
During her testimony, McAllister, a witness for Richards, claimed she witnessed Phypers give the former reality star a black eye in 2022.
“I saw Aaron hit Denise and immediately she had a really bad black eye,” McAllister recalled. “I’m literally in shock now to this day about it.”
She detailed that Phypers struck Richards with the palm of his hand, as reported by People. “[Denise] was in shock; I was in shock,” she added.
McAllister recounted an evening when the couple was engaged in a heated argument, during which Phypers accused Richards of installing “listening devices” in his home. She described it as “an evening of chaos and arguing [that] kept escalating.”
She also indicated having witnessed Phypers exhibit abusive behavior toward Richards on multiple occasions, including an incident when he allegedly “pinned” her against a concrete wall at the office. McAllister claimed, “He was choking her and her head slammed against the [wall], causing a concussion.”
When he took the stand on October 8, Phypers refuted McAllister’s allegations, expressing that he did not hit Richards and was unaware of her claimed injury. He contended that she had reported injuring her eye after falling and hitting a pole.
He noted that Richards had been drinking tequila that night, although he did not know the quantity. He stated that she seemed inebriated and “was not able to walk properly.” Phypers acknowledged McAllister’s presence but was unsure if she had witnessed Richards injure her eye.
As reported earlier by Us, Richards testified regarding the alleged abuse she suffered.
Phypers has previously responded to Richards’ accusations, stating, “These allegations are completely false and deeply hurtful. Both Denise and I, like numerous couples, have experienced our share of challenges, but any insinuation of abuse is categorically untrue.”
