Dr. Phil Sued For Defamation And Fraud By Former Guest

LOS ANGELES — The memorabilia dealer who led O.J. Simpson to a hotel room where an infamous robbery occurred filed a lawsuit Tuesday against the "Dr. Phil" show claiming his remarks in an interview were spliced to change their meaning.

Thomas Riccio, who testified at Simpson's recent kidnapping-robbery trial, sued Philip McGraw _ known on the show as Dr. Phil _ and Stage 29 Media for unspecified damages. The lawsuit claims defamation, fraud, emotional distress and being portrayed in a false light.

Riccio said that on the show he was referred to as "the shady deal maker," "a puppet master who would sell his soul for a coin" and "the ring leader of this crime."

He said that during the show, McGraw falsely claimed that Riccio "set O.J. Simpson up and told people to bring guns into the room."

Riccio said his denial of those statements and his claim that he is anti-gun were edited out and replaced with a shot of him nodding his head as if in agreement with the host.

"Had plaintiff been aware of defendants' intent and their intended actions, he would not have agreed to do the interview," the lawsuit stated.

The Oct. 6 interview aired Oct. 8. Simpson was convicted of 12 charges in a Las Vegas court Oct. 3.

Theresa Corigliano, a spokeswoman for Dr. Phil., would not comment.

Comments

[larry278]

It wasn't defecation though. Doesn't or didn't he good doctor have some licensing problems? Was it in Tx? Nobody would want to defame Dr Phil, would they? I mean, he has a day time syndicated gig. He isn't Ophra, Ellen or the View. A TV shrink isn't hot as a Judge Schmendrick court show. Dr Phil doesn't make that much. Why sue if you can't collect the damages?

[colibri1]

It's baffling to me why "Dr. Phil" was ever considered respectable. He's the kind of cheesy Southern Republican that relies more on an authoritarian delivery than on substance. And his cliched and narrow beliefs about what constitutes "the family" and gender relations limited the amount of help he could provide.

[openhand]

2 Frauds, jockstraps locked in mortal combat.

[Kassandra]

Can I sue the Bush "administration" for "emotional distress??

I always thought Dr. Phil was full of hot air. Esp when he tried to get into Spears' hospital room for a little extra publicity. He likes to browbeat people too, I think.

[MountPanic]

Dr. Phil is a douchenozzle.

For as long as his show has been on the air and a family with a teenage daughter who got knocked up would come on, Phil's right in there with "WHERE WERE THE PARENTS???" but as soon as Letterman brings up Bristol Palin, this guy is backpedaling like Wile E. Coyote gone over a cliff, "Oh (bluster bluster) I'm sure she (bluster bluster) what you gotta understand is (bluster bluster)..."

[DeeW]

I'm waiting for the headline that his show's been canceled. When, when ...?

[toocoldout]

I don't understand people like you. No one's forcing you to watch him, so why the hell do you care whether he's on the air? Just live and let live.

[andvoodoo2]

Some of us object to know nothing hacks pretending to be a doctor and messing with people's lives.

[colibri1]

Not gonna "live and let live" when some right-winger like the ersatz doctor, Phil, is messing up people's lives with unqualified advice and authoritarian browbeating.

[maxfax]

Who'da thought Dr. Phil would be on OJ's side?

[TRYKER]

More power to Riccio, he knows what he is talking about. Get him!

[dct1999]

Dr. Phil should be sued daily. He is a f a k e a s s quack.

[Bluedog12]

Your headline should be engraved on this fraud's headstone.

[huffyISaHottie]

i'm sure his pal oprah has a string of lawyers at the ready

[Chicago jo]

I cannot stand these opfra favorite things, like slippers, tea, a stamp on a book at the bookstore and this Dr. Phil. Alas Obama is one of her favorite things but I am trying to let that go. Why does she continue to work, continue to produce crap like this Dr Phil or the little mouthy 5 minute chef? There is something profoundly wrong with Ms. Ofra, something gargantuan missing from deep within her. She is so driven to compensate, but driven to what? - sell sell sell crap crap crap - But the girl is not dum, she doesn't watch TV she just makes it.

[toocoldout]

She continues to work so she can continue to give. It's very expensive being the most philanthropic African American of all time, and the most generous performer in show business (having given over $300 million according to Business Week). And why the hell would she retire? She's only 54. Not everyone is lazy. Some people actually love their careers.

[MadeinAmericaProud]

Phil has owned his own show for several years, he can afford his own lawyers.

[UGAgirl]

Please! You should google Oprah's comments on OJ...she doesn't hold back her opinion that he was GUILTY in 95 and that karma is a bitch! I doubt that Dr. Fraud and Oprah share any of the same opinions.

[kean]

Okay, something happened to my post. Here it is again:


It isn't actionable if it's true. The guy is a slimeball. Ordinarily I wouldn't defend Dr. Phil but this guy makes Phil look like a saint. Just for the record though, I think Phil McGraw is a pompous, verbose and unwaveringly unintelligent charlatan.

[ZimboChick]

what is your salutation?

[OkieIntellectual]

Dr. Phil also had his license yanked in Texas and has failed to obtain a license to practice in any other state.

[charleslennon]

You said verbose.....heh,heh,heh!

[kean]

It isn't actionable if the statements are true. The guy is a slimeball. Ordinarily I wouldn't defend Dr. Phil but this guy unwaveringly unintelligent charlatan.

[mirza]

A fraud indeed--that's "Dr" Phil

[jojoinmass]

He's not a Medical doctor, but has a PhD - Gezzz!!!!

He's very qualified and knows what he's talking about. I'm not crazy about his personality, but he's not all the things being said about him.

[NoSillyName]

He has his fans and his detractors, like any public figure.

[Agentlady007]

This doctor is not God and people should understand that although he recommends or diagnoses an illness, he can't guarantee the outcome unless the patient is responsible and follows his instructions.

Why does this man look like the side kick to Gary Shandling? Weird.

[Agentlady007]

I've resited him for that, but when you look into his purpose- he is a good human being. Period.

[Agentlady007]

I meant 'resisted'

[andvoodoo2]

He is NOT a doctor. And, when he "recommends or diagnoses an illness", he is guilty of practicing medicine without a license.