The Allegations Unfold: A Timeline of Events

At the heart of the new charges is the alleged intimidation of Kathleen McAllister, Phypers’ cousin and a former colleague at his Malibu wellness center. According to court filings, the alleged incident occurred on January 17, 2022, with prosecutors claiming Phypers acted “knowingly and maliciously” with “force and an express and implied threat of force and violence” towards both McAllister and Richards, 54.

The accusations align with Richards’ own account, detailed in a petition for a restraining order filed in July. She alleged that during an argument at Phypers’ wellness center, a family member – believed to be McAllister – was present. Richards stated that Phypers became paranoid, believing potted plants contained listening devices. When a police officer approached after hearing yelling, Phypers allegedly resumed his aggressive behavior, striking Richards in the eye and verbally abusing her.

McAllister reportedly witnessed the assault and immediately applied a cold compress to Richards’ swelling eye. Richards claims Phypers then pressured her to fabricate a story, insisting she claim she had “walked into a piece of equipment.”

Beyond the January 2022 incident, a second felony spousal injury charge relates to an alleged assault on May 3, 2022. Richards has testified in court that Phypers caused her to suffer three concussions throughout their relationship, including an incident where she was allegedly “slammed” into a concrete wall at the wellness center. Phypers has vehemently denied these claims.

Following testimony from both sides, Phypers was arrested outside the Los Angeles courthouse on October 17, 2025, and later released on $200,000 bail. His attorney, Michael Finley, maintains his client’s innocence, suggesting the charges are based on “false accusations” previously made in the divorce proceedings. Finley stated, “We expect that the evidence will demonstrate Mr. Phypers’ innocence and that he will be acquitted.”

If convicted on all counts, Phypers could face up to four years in prison. This case raises critical questions about domestic violence, witness intimidation, and the complexities of navigating legal battles within the public eye.

Did You Know? California law defines dissuading a witness as attempting to prevent someone from reporting a crime or testifying in a legal proceeding, often through threats or intimidation.

The legal proceedings are ongoing, and the outcome will undoubtedly have significant implications for all parties involved. What impact will this arrest have on the ongoing divorce proceedings between Richards and Phypers? And how will these allegations affect public perception of both individuals?

For further information on domestic violence resources, please visit the National Domestic Violence Hotline: https://www.thehotline.org/. To learn more about legal rights and protections in California, consult the California Courts website: https://www.courts.ca.gov/.

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