Aaron Phypers Hit with $160,000 Judgment in Fraud Case
A Los Angeles County Superior Court judge has issued a default judgment against Aaron Phypers, the estranged husband of actress Denise Richards, ordering him to pay approximately $160,000. This ruling stems from a fraud lawsuit filed by widower Rupert Perry, who accused Phypers of failing to respond to the legal action. The case revolves around allegations that Phypers, a practitioner of "frequency medicine," made false promises about stem cell treatments for Perry's late wife, Elina Katsioula-Beall, who died from sarcoma cancer in May 2024.
Background of the Fraud Allegations
According to court documents, Katsioula-Beall sought alternative stem cell treatment at Phypers' Malibu wellness center, Quantum 360, in June 2023 after traditional medical treatments proved ineffective. Perry's lawsuit claims that Phypers assured his client the treatment could cure her cancer or at least make it more manageable, boasting a 98 percent success rate and offering a 50 percent refund if unsuccessful. When the treatment failed, Katsioula-Beall requested a refund of $63,000, half of the amount paid, but Phypers allegedly ignored her requests and continued to avoid repayment even after her death.
The lawsuit, filed in November 2024, accuses Phypers of fraud and breach of contract. With Phypers failing to respond, the court granted the default judgment, highlighting the serious nature of the allegations. Quantum 360 reportedly closed its doors in early 2025, adding to the controversy surrounding Phypers' practices.
Connection to Denise Richards' Divorce Proceedings
This legal setback for Phypers comes amid a highly contentious divorce from Denise Richards, which began with their separation in July 2024. The divorce has involved financial disputes, property issues, and allegations of domestic violence from both parties. Richards obtained a five-year restraining order requiring Phypers to stay 100 yards away from her.
However, in a separate ruling on February 26, Richards was ordered to pay Phypers temporary spousal support of $5,000 per month, starting March 5, 2026, and continuing until further court order. She must also cover $25,000 in attorney fees for Phypers' divorce proceedings and an additional $5,000 to a forensic accountant. A structured payment plan requires Richards to pay $10,000 monthly in March, April, and May 2026 to meet these obligations.
Denise Richards' Recent Public Appearances
Meanwhile, Denise Richards has been in the public eye for discussing a facelift she underwent in June 2025. In an interview with Allure, Richards explained her decision, stating, "I wanted to put things back up, where they were before." She expressed fear about the procedure, noting, "Being in the public eye since my 20s, people know what I look like - a facelift is not something that I could hide." Richards added that the results were "night and day" and described them as "shocking, actually."
This personal revelation adds another layer to the ongoing saga involving Richards and Phypers, as both navigate legal battles and public scrutiny. The fraud judgment against Phypers underscores the serious allegations in the Perry case, while the divorce proceedings continue to unfold with financial and emotional complexities.
