Domestic violence plea to let CEO avoid deportation

A victim of domestic violence says a plea deal reached by her estranged husband, a Silicon Valley CEO, is too lenient and that justice is being thwarted by efforts to ensure he isn't removed from the country.

Abhishek Gattani, co-founder of customer analytics startup Cuberon and a native of India, had been charged with felony domestic violence after his wife said he beat her. But in a deal with prosecutors Gattani pleaded no contest to felony accessory and a misdemeanor count of offensive touching.

The San Francisco Chronicle reported Friday that his wife said Gattani got a reduction of charges because of possible immigration consequences.
 

A 2015 state law requires prosecutors to consider ways to head off deportations.

With credits, Gattani could end up spending 15 days in custody.