Dr Phil Podcast Sparks Legal Firestorm in Grossman Wrongful Death Case
The wrongful death lawsuit against convicted socialite Rebecca Grossman has taken a dramatic new turn, with television personality Dr Phil becoming unexpectedly entangled in the legal battle. In a significant court filing submitted on Friday, attorneys representing the grieving parents of two young boys killed in a 2020 hit-and-run incident have demanded access to unedited footage from Dr Phil's recent podcast interview with Grossman's husband.
Podcast Interview Fuels Legal Demands
Dr Peter Grossman, a prominent plastic surgeon, appeared on Dr Phil's two-part podcast series titled Fatal Accident: Inside the Rebecca Grossman Case last month. During the January 13 interview, he vigorously maintained his wife's innocence while shifting blame toward her former lover, World Series-winning pitcher Scott Erickson. The episode has since been removed from the Phil in the Blanks podcast platform.
Rebecca Grossman is currently serving a 15-years-to-life sentence at the California Institution for Women in Corona. She was convicted of killing brothers Mark Iskander, 11, and eight-year-old Jacob Iskander at a pedestrian crossing in Westlake Village in September 2020. The civil lawsuit has been filed by parents Karim and Nancy Iskander, who are seeking substantial financial damages.
Unedited Footage and Communications Sought
In their latest legal motion, the Iskanders' attorneys argue that Peter Grossman "went to great lengths" during the podcast interview to argue his wife's innocence and describe his version of how the fatal collision occurred. They are now demanding that Dr Phil surrender "the entire, unedited raw footage" of the interview, along with all communications between Peter Grossman and Dr Phil regarding the crash.
Attorney Andrew Owen wrote in the motion: "Considering the podcast discussed how the collision occurred – an issue that is hotly contested – they should be produced, especially because there could be footage that was edited out for time purposes." The filing also requests documents showing any payments made for the podcast appearance.
Suspicious Property Transfers Under Scrutiny
The legal team is pursuing detailed financial information about Rebecca Grossman's considerable wealth and what they describe as "suspicious" property dealings. Of particular concern is the recent transfer of title for the couple's $13.5 million hilltop mansion in Hidden Hills to a mysterious entity called the JB Road Trust.
The motion states that Peter Grossman "inexplicably could not identify the members and beneficiaries of" this trust. Attorney Owen characterized the home's ownership history after the fatal collision as "highly suspicious" and suggested it represents "more likely than not" a potentially fraudulent transfer intended to shield assets.
Broader Legal Context and Upcoming Proceedings
Scott Erickson, who was racing Rebecca Grossman at the time of the accident, received only a misdemeanor reckless driving conviction that was later dismissed. He has been named in the civil suit and has filed multiple motions attempting to minimize his alleged role in the boys' deaths. Erickson has asked the court to exclude WhatsApp messages between himself and Grossman from evidence, claiming they are "overwhelmingly irrelevant" and "highly prejudicial."
Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Huey Cotton is expected to rule on the new ex-parte motion regarding the podcast footage on Tuesday, February 17. This decision comes just two days before a scheduled mandatory settlement conference, which represents the final opportunity for the Grossmans and Erickson to reach a financial settlement with the Iskanders before the case proceeds to a jury trial scheduled for April.
Grossman's defense lawyers have objected to all 32 of the Iskanders' document requests, characterizing them as "overly broad, vague and ambiguous" and "unduly burdensome, harassing and oppressive." They argue that many requests violate privacy rights or are irrelevant to the case.
During Rebecca Grossman's criminal trial in early 2024, the jury rejected her defense team's argument that Erickson was primarily responsible for the deadly crash. The civil case continues to unfold with increasing complexity as multiple parties navigate the legal aftermath of the tragic 2020 incident that claimed two young lives.
