Denise Richards' Ex Aaron Phypers Ordered to Pay $160K Over Alleged Fraud

A Los Angeles judge signed the default judgement after Phypers failed to respond to the lawsuit.

Mar. 28, 2026 at 12:24am

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Denise Richards' ex-husband Aaron Phypers has been ordered to pay $160,000 to a California man who accused him of fraud in court. A Los Angeles Superior Court judge ordered Phypers to make the payment to Rupert Perry after Phypers failed to respond to the lawsuit. Perry claimed Phypers defrauded his late wife, Elina Katsioula-Beall, by taking $126,000 for stem cell treatments that did not work to treat her sarcoma cancer.

Why it matters

This case highlights the legal troubles Phypers has faced, including a contentious divorce battle with Richards and criminal charges for allegedly injuring a spouse and dissuading a witness. It also raises concerns about the regulation and oversight of alternative medical treatments, especially those that make unsubstantiated claims about curing serious illnesses.

The details

According to court documents, Perry claimed he and his late wife paid Phypers $126,000 in June 2023 for stem cell treatments that Phypers said would 'cure or at least ameliorate' Katsioula-Beall's sarcoma cancer. However, by December 2023, Katsioula-Beall learned the treatments had not worked and her tumors had grown 25% in the three months since ending the treatments. Katsioula-Beall requested a 50% refund of $63,000, but Phypers allegedly ignored her requests. Katsioula-Beall passed away on May 21, 2024, and Perry filed the lawsuit against Phypers in November 2024.

  • In June 2023, Perry and his late wife paid Phypers $126,000 for stem cell treatments.
  • From July to September 2023, Katsioula-Beall received the treatments.
  • By December 2023, Katsioula-Beall learned the treatments had not worked and her tumors had grown 25%.
  • On March 29, 2024, Katsioula-Beall sent a final invoice requesting a $63,000 refund, but Phypers allegedly ignored it.
  • Katsioula-Beall passed away on May 21, 2024.

The players

Aaron Phypers

Denise Richards' ex-husband who was ordered to pay $160,000 in a default judgement over allegations of fraud.

Rupert Perry

The California man who filed the lawsuit against Phypers, accusing him of fraud and breach of oral contract.

Elina Katsioula-Beall

Rupert Perry's late wife, who paid Phypers $126,000 for stem cell treatments that allegedly did not work to treat her sarcoma cancer.

Denise Richards

Phypers' estranged wife, who he has been engaged in a contentious divorce battle with.

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What they’re saying

“If it did not work, he would refund to Ms. Katsioula-Beall and Mr. Perry fifty percent of the money they to him for the treatment.”

— Rupert Perry, Plaintiff

What’s next

Phypers is also currently facing criminal charges - two felony counts of injuring a spouse and two felony counts of dissuading a witness by force or threat. The outcome of those charges could impact this civil case.

The takeaway

This case highlights the need for greater regulation and oversight of alternative medical treatments, especially those that make unsubstantiated claims about curing serious illnesses. It also underscores the legal troubles Phypers has faced, including his contentious divorce from Denise Richards.