Trigger Warning: This article contains a discussion of domestic violence allegations.
Mike Shouhed, once a star on Bravo’s Shahs of Sunset, settled with his ex-fiancée, Paulina Ben-Cohen, after disturbing allegations.
Paulina accused Mike of violently assaulting her in 2022. The incident that led to both criminal charges and a civil lawsuit. The case won’t head to trial now that the two have agreed on terms. The agreement marks a significant turning point in a legal battle that has been ongoing for more than a year.
Mike Shouhed and Paulina Ben-Cohen have settled out of court following her allegations of assault
On September 11, Paulina’s lawyers told the court the parties had reached a settlement. She plans to dismiss the lawsuit by December 9 once all terms are finalized. Mike’s attorney, Reza Sina, shared a statement with Us Weekly. “We are happy to have worked together to resolve the final piece of these unfortunate events and move on.”
Paulina originally filed the lawsuit in March 2024, stemming from an alleged March 2022 altercation. In her complaint, she accused Mike of being “viciously, brutally and repeatedly” violent toward her inside their home while her child was nearby. She alleged he yelled profanities, refused to leave, and escalated the confrontation by pulling her hair and throwing her to the ground.
Her filing described further alleged attacks, including being struck in the face and suffocated as she struggled to breathe. She claimed he shoved her onto a bicycle and returned multiple times to continue the assault. Paulina also submitted screenshots she said came from security footage.
The lawsuit stated, “Nearly four minutes after [Shouhed] initiated his series of vicious and brutal attacks on [Ben-Cohen], this harrowing incident finally came to an end.” According to the documents, a nanny in the home intervened, but tensions escalated when Mike allegedly retrieved a firearm before police arrested him.
Paulina also claimed he later threatened to hire a hitman “who would put her away.” Mike denied the allegations, insisting her own actions contributed to the incident. While he initially faced 13 criminal charges, he ultimately reached a plea deal that required anger management classes and community service instead of jail time.
Shahs of Sunset was cancelled in 2022. Although Bravo announced The Valley: Persian Style in May, Mike was notably absent from the cast list despite other Shahs making the move.
With this settlement in place, Mike and Paulina’s legal battle has come to an end, but the disturbing allegations will continue to follow him.
Shahs of Sunset streams on Peacock or Hayu for viewers in the U.K. and Ireland. Bravo hasn’t announced a premiere date for The Valley: Persian Style yet.
TELL US – WHAT ARE YOUR THOUGHTS ON MIKE AND PAULINA SETTLING OUT OF COURT?
