Ellena Berg, 37, was found by police tied up in the bedroom of the home she shares with Silicon Valley real estate magnate Clyde Berg in San Jose, California, the local San Jose Mercury news reported.
Appearing in court on Thursday, Berg said her husband had kept her chained to a bed for two days, sexually assaulted her with a golf putter, and put a gun in her face.
Described by the paper as a “tall, slender, blonde”, Swedish-born Ellena Berg is said to have met her husband ten years ago while working as an au pair for a local family.
She alleges her husband has repeatedly abused her during their marriage, while her husband, who has an estimated net worth of $200 million, contends the Swede has mental problems and is trying to scam him in order to get around a prenuptial agreement.
She told the court that she decided to finally resist her husband’s continued abuse out of fears he would kill her and the child she was carrying as the result of being impregnated by a sperm donor.
“I decided I had to save my (unborn) daughter,” Ellena Berg testified, according to the paper.
She claimed she dialed US emergency number 911 while still handcuffed by using her tongue to press the buttons on a secret phone she carried with her.
In addition to a civil suit filed by Ellena seeking damages, Clyde Berg, who is free on $3 million bail, is also facing criminal charges related to spousal abuse and sexual assault. If convicted, he could face between 15 years and life in prison.
The Local/dl
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