Outcry over Silicon Valley CEO's domestic violence plea deal

PALO ALTO, Calif. (KGO) -- There was major outcry Thursday over a plea deal a Silicon Valley CEO made in his domestic violence case that will see him spend less than two weeks in jail.

A judge ruled in the high profile domestic violence case in Palo Alto.

The defendant's estranged wife is not okay with the plea deal and says she feels victimized all over again.

The judge did rule to go ahead with the recommended sentence, meaning Abhishek Gattani will serve 13 days in jail.

Former apple engineer Neha Rastogi left the courthouse disappointed. She says for the last 10 years she has been verbally and physically abused by her estranged husband Abhishek Gattani, CEO of a Silicon Valley startup.

She gave authorities pictures of bruises and audio recordings of him yelling and threatening her. Gattani was initially charged with felony assault, but the DA's office struck a deal with his attorney. He pleaded no contest to felony accessory, and would be sentenced to six months in county jail. But, five of those months would be community service. Gattani is getting credit for the time he served so he really will only serve 13 days in jail.

"I was really hoping for something better to happen but at this point in time I just want to thank everyone for being here for me," Rastogi said.

"I am disappointed that Ms. Rastogi is not satisfied with the terms of the disposition or the way in which her case was handled. But, I am confident that we reached the right outcome given the merits of the case," Assistant District Attorney Brian Welsh said.

After reviewing the case the judge decided to make Gattani serve his jail sentence starting tomorrow afternoon rather than five months from now, which was the term originally negotiated. Outside the courthouse, dozens of friends and supporters held a peaceful rally to send a message that domestic violence should never be tolerated. They say the sentence is a slap on the wrist.

The DA's office says domestic violence cases are challenging, and that there wasn't enough evidence to impose a harsher penalty.