San Francisco-Based RadiumOne CEO Avoids Prison After Girlfriend Beating Captured On Video
SAN FRANCISCO (CBS SF) -- The chief executive of a San Francisco-based Internet advertising firm will face no prison time after beating his girlfriend last August - in an attack captured on video – following a plea deal.
RadiumOne founder and CEO Gurbaksh Chahal faced 47 felony counts for repeatedly hitting and kicking Juliet Kakish on Aug. 5, 2013 at his home at the Infinity Towers in Rincon Hill in San Francisco.
Police testified that Chahal had video cameras placed throughout his penthouse apartment, including two in his bedroom where the attack happened.
According to the complaint against Chahal, the felony counts included hitting Kakish repeatedly in the head, covering her mouth during the assault, and threatening to kill her.
A video that police said showed Chahal hitting Kakish 117 times in a half-hour was ruled inadmissible after Chahal's lawyers successfully argued it had been seized unlawfully by police.
Last week, Chahal pleaded guilty to two misdemeanor battery charges and was put on probation for three years. He will also perform community service and enroll in a domestic violence program.
Chahal's spokesman, public relations consultant Sam Singer, told the San Francisco Business Times:
"This now allows Gurbaksh and RadiumOne to move forward with their IPO, which is further down the line. It was an important conclusion to what was a difficult situation, and all sides are to be commended in the reasonable conclusion of this case."
Chahal told The San Francisco Chronicle his firm is looking to complete its initial public offering within the next 12 months. RadiumOne is Chahal's third startup; his first two ventures sold for $40 million and $300 million, respectively.
His Twitter feed made no mention of his legal troubles during the days he was being investigated or in court. His most recent on April 22 appears to be more introspective than the others.
UPDATE 4/25/2014:
RadiumOne CEO responds - 'Grow Up People' Tweets RadiumOne CEO Who Avoided Prison After Plea Deal In Girlfriend Attack
