Paulina Ben-Cohen, the ex-fiancée of Mike Shouhed, has filed a bombshell lawsuit detailing the alleged horrifying abuse she endured at the hands of the disgraced Bravo star. The influencer claims that the abuse began with verbal insults, including calling her a “horrible mother,” a “f–king whore,” and a “piece of s–t.” The situation escalated to physical violence after an argument over a hookah, leading to Shouhed’s domestic violence arrest.
Ben-Cohen alleges that Shouhed forcefully grabbed her hair and shoulder, threw her to the ground, and suffocated her during the altercation. This behavior was reportedly captured on security footage, supporting her claims. Shouhed allegedly threatened to kill Ben-Cohen, claimed he had a hitman, and attempted to suffocate her multiple times. The fight took place in their home, where her children from a previous relationship also resided.
The abuse continued as Shouhed demanded payment for half of their property, physically restrained Ben-Cohen, and threatened her with a firearm. The police were eventually called, leading to Shouhed’s arrest. Ben-Cohen’s lawyers emphasized that she did not provoke the violence and that this was not the first incident of its kind, citing a previous incident where Shouhed allegedly held a gun to her head.
In response to Ben-Cohen confiding in a cast member about the abuse, Shouhed allegedly threatened to kill her, claiming that “tonight is the night I’m going to kill you.” Ben-Cohen is now suing Shouhed for assault and battery, intentional infliction of emotional distress, and gender violence, seeking damages and a trial by jury. Shouhed’s attorney has not yet responded to the allegations.
Despite the abuse, Ben-Cohen and Shouhed were seen together on vacation after the incident, suggesting that they were still together. However, they ultimately separated, and Shouhed was charged with 14 criminal charges related to domestic violence. He agreed to attend anger management and parenting classes, a gun safety course, and community service as part of a deal with prosecutors. Shouhed was also prohibited from owning or possessing firearms during the program.
The Bravo show “Shahs of Sunset,” in which Shouhed appeared, was canceled amid his legal troubles. Ben-Cohen’s lawyer confirmed that she was working with authorities to address the situation appropriately. If you or someone you know is affected by domestic violence, resources like the National Domestic Violence Hotline are available for support and assistance. The case highlights the serious consequences of abusive behavior and the importance of seeking help in such situations.
