Dr. Phil is a 'terrible, terrible man,' San Diego judge says at sentencing of shoplifters

The San Diego judge in the case of two shoplifters who confessed to Dr. Phil had some unkind words for the TV personality this week when the pair were sentenced.

Judge Irma Gonzalez on Monday sentenced Matthew Eaton  to 27 months in jail and his wife, Laura Eaton, to 12 months. Both had pleaded guilty to conspiracy to traffic in stolen goods across state lines.

Gonzalez criticized Dr. Phil, saying he did not give the couple enough help and counseling when they agreed to appear on his show. She called him "a terrible, terrible man," adding, "what a charlatan this man is."

On the television show, the couple, living in San Marcos in northern San Diego County, said they had earned up to $100,000 a year by selling stolen goods on the Internet. They traveled to several states, often with their children as decoys, to shoplift at toy stores and other business, according to court documents.

When investigators raided the couple's home, 500 boxes of stolen goods were seized.

-- Shelby Grad and Tony Perry

Photo: Matthew Eaton, 34, and his wife, Laura, 27, appear on "Dr. Phil." Credit: DrPhil.com

Comments

[TheBigPicture]

This derelict judge needs to be stripped of her duties if she has a problem sentencing these two career criminals to prison...

[Margaret Nevins]

I'm no fan of Dr. Phil, but what idiots these two were to confess all on the show in the first place. Look where "15 minutes of fame" got them.

[Bob]

My wife had to deal with him professionally at a charity event he was hosting; by the end of the day we, and many others, had reverted to calling him, "Dr. Phony."

[threeg3]

Well maybe he is a charlatan, but he gets good ratings, makes a lot of money and has a nice smile -- so I guess in our contemporary world, that is close to a wash.

[GD]

Dr. Phil is a true "charlatan," as the judge stated. For a judge to say this on the record, there must be at least some truth to it.

[echoman]

What's the problem. The Eaton's, AGREED come onto a national show to talk about their continued shoplifting experiences.

That's what you get for bragging.

[BeautyQueen]

Dr. Phil may be a "terrible, terrible man" and a "charlatan," but his show put two thieves in jail. How about a word on how "terrible, terrible" these shoplifters are? Why does someone need counseling to stop doing what they know is wrong? There is no gray area on theft! Everyone, and I do mean EVERYONE, knows that it is wrong. There are Bible commandments against it, laws against it, moral and social taboos. How much more counseling do these people need than what the entire world around them already offers?

[BeautyQueen]

PS: If the thieves wanted money, they might've tried working more. If they claimed they were addicted to shoplifting (I didn't watch the show), how about becoming addicted to work instead?

[Truthclsaw]

The judge got that right. It's nice to hear someone like the judge say it.

[JMike]

It's important to keep in mind that on his show the guy is an entertainer, not a therapist. Once you accept that fact, then his exploitation of guests makes complete sense and is no different from Jerry Springer's exploitation of his guests. Expecting Phil to provide "help and counseling" is ridiculous and naive. By the way, I describe Phil as an entertainer with a caveat: I do not find his show entertaining in the least, I don't understand the appeal of these shows, and the few times I have watched parts of his show, I have cringed at his interactions with guests.

[Scott20]

I have been saying this for years. Dr. Phil is willing to open the dialogue and get the therapy started, often getting a "guest" on the show to a vulnerable place. Once the lights go down however, where is the Dr.? Nowhere to be seen. He does not do the follow up therapy that is often necessary for healing. I don't think he even refers patients to another doctor. He exploits these people for ratings. I am not saying that what these people did was right in any way. They are criminals. But when reaching out for help, they were left behind.

[Man Ro]

Thats what they get for trying to get help off a quack like Dr. Phil
Did they really expect results or ratings, I guess Dr. Drew was right

[asm from portlad.]

27 month in jail?? Make these idiots get a job and payback what they stole. Seems they had been doing it for quite sometime, what do they do with 100k, take away their house, cars, whatever they bought with the stolen goods proceeds. I think forcing them to work is the best therapy for their "addiction" and can also help them to pay some restitution. Agree with Judge on Dr. Phil comments.

[Brian]

The judge I hope isn't just figuring this out! Everybody I talk to who watches his show knows what he's going to say before he says it.

[Clare]

Exactly. Dr. Phil is a sensationalist, an opportunist and a manipulator.

[mommyof9]

well they played now they pay

[Greg Godbey]

Let me get this straight. Dr. Phil is a bad guy because you're still a bad guy? So he's responsible for your actions? Don't waste our time

[xicanoboy]

[Judge Irma]Gonzalez criticized Dr. Phil, saying he did not give the couple enough help and counseling when they agreed to appear on his show. She called him "a terrible, terrible man," adding, "what a charlatan this man is."

DUH!

[Reverv]

I'm not a Dr. Phil fan by any means, but to call him a "Terrible, terrible man" what a load of hogwash. He didn't shoplift or break any laws. Also a quick point. I understand that there's a double standard in how courts punish men and women. But to sentence him to 27 months and her to only 12, makes a mockery out of the legal system. Not all men are evil and all women victims.

[ohh no]

Only 12 months for the woman? She might as well have stolen a new Porsche... These kind of people are the reason you can't buy USA goods at a normal price.

[LJ]

I have yet to see any "counseling" by Dr. Phil where he has actually help anybody. It is usually done by someone else, but not him.

[Photobart]

I don't even think Dr. Phil is a real doctor. I believe he has no licence to practice in the State of California. He had problems practicing in the State of Texas. Glad to see when his show is off the air. I was happy to see the Judge say those things about him.

[Cali]

I guess blaming Dr. Phil for not giving them as much help as they needed is really the excuse for the stealing goods. I guess this makes it ok for everyone to go and commit a crime and blame it on someone else because they didnt give them the help they needed. Anyone up to taking some blame for me?

[Steve]

Worse than this is how he panders to his female audience. Not enough is said about the damage people like him create when they tell women only what they want to hear, not what they need to hear. It's very sad. It validates some very irrational thoughts and we all pay the price as a society.

[ejaceves]

Dr. Phil isn't qualified to provide therapy. I don't know what the big deal is about him, most of the advice he gives isn't even therapeutic AND unethical as a mental health clinician. He's not even licensed to provide treatment. Absolutely disgraceful.