Two New Lawsuits Filed Against North Shore Celebrity Psychiatrist

SALEM, MA -- Two more women have filed lawsuits against Dr. Keith Ablow alleging he abused his position while treating them for depression. The lawsuits were filed in Essex Superior Court in Salem Thursday and contain lurid details, including claims by one of the plaintiffs that Ablow hit her during sex and that another got a tattoo of his initials to show his "ownership" of the woman.

Ablow was a Fox News contributor until 2017, and once drew criticism for his on-aire suggestion that then-First Lady Michelle Obama needed "to drop a few pounds." The new lawsuits follow a similar suit filed by a Salem woman against Ablow in July. At the time, Ablow denied the allegations in that lawsuit in an email to Patch. He claimed the woman, who is seeking $5 million in damages, omitted "certain key facts" when she filed her lawsuit.

"I categorically deny all the claims and look forward to being heard in court," said Friday when Patch asked about the new charges. The denial echoed a statement he posted on Twitter on Thursday.

Together, the three lawsuits claim that Ablow took advantage of women after gaining their trust. The lawsuits depict degrading sexual activities, some of which took place during sessions the woman were billed for. One woman claims Ablow said "I own you" and "You are my slave" while they were having sex.

All three women claim they moved to Massachusetts to be closer to his office, where he treated him with the controversial drug Ketamine.

Ablow, of Newburyport, has written 15 books and numerous articles, both for medical journals and mainstream publications. In 2007 his book Inside The Mind of Scott Peterson, made the New York Times bestsellers list, catapulting his television career. Ablow hosted a short-lived, nationally syndicated talk show.

A 2012 commentary suggesting Newt Gingrich's three marriages made him more qualified to be president followed by a commentary suggesting the 2012 was a plot by President Obama to distract Americans from scandals about the administration increased his profile and made him a regular fixture on Fox News Channel.

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Patch file photo.

Dave Copeland can be reached at dave.copeland@patch.com or by calling 617-433-7851. Follow him on Twitter (@CopeWrites) and Facebook (/copewrites).