The man identified as Matthew Perry’s “street dealer” has come under scrutiny for his past role as manager of a high-end rehabilitation clinic, where a patient tragically died, according to a recent report by The Hollywood Reporter.
Erik Fleming, previously a film director, has been in the spotlight after pleading guilty to two charges related to the sale of ketamine to Perry’s personal assistant, Kenneth Iwamasa. These transactions occurred shortly before Perry’s death in October 2023 from a ketamine overdose.
Fleming is among five individuals charged in connection with Perry’s overdose. The Hollywood Reporter has uncovered that Fleming also held a significant role at Red Door, an upscale rehab center in Bel-Air, where he served as the program director and sober living manager. This facility was under scrutiny following the overdose death of a 36-year-old patient, William Cooney, in January 2021.
Michael J. Plonsker, attorney for Red Door, confirmed Fleming’s employment at the clinic during Cooney’s death but clarified that Fleming was not present at the facility on the day of Cooney’s passing. Plonsker declined to provide further details due to federal confidentiality rules, but he asserted that Red Door and its founders are not responsible for Cooney’s death, emphasizing that the facility maintains high standards of client care.
However, sources familiar with Red Door reported that Cooney’s access to the drugs that led to his death was partly due to inadequate monitoring and drug testing at the clinic. According to these sources, the facility failed to properly oversee Cooney’s potential relapse.
Fleming, a longtime associate of actress Brooke Mueller, was reportedly involved in encouraging Cooney to check into Red Door, despite the clinic’s troubled reputation. Mueller, who was in a relationship with Cooney at the time, has been linked to the case and her own struggles with addiction have been noted as a significant factor in Cooney’s downward spiral.
Sarah Morse, Cooney’s former wife, expressed concerns about Mueller’s influence, suggesting that Cooney’s issues began escalating after his association with her. She emphasized that the recommendation to enter Red Door, influenced by Mueller and Fleming, marked a critical turning point in Cooney’s addiction.
Following the Los Angeles Police Department’s investigation into Cooney’s death, friends and family have advocated for a more thorough examination of Red Door and its practices. Amara Durham, a substance abuse counselor who worked with Cooney, lamented that a more rigorous investigation into Cooney’s case might have prevented Perry’s own tragic fate.
As the investigation into both Cooney’s and Perry’s deaths continues, questions remain about the accountability of high-end rehab facilities and the effectiveness of their care protocols.
