Artem Chigvintsev Says Nikki Garcia LIED About Domestic Abuse — He’s The REAL Victim!
Artem Chigvintsev Says Nikki Garcia LIED About Domestic Abuse — He’s The REAL Victim!
Artem Chigvintsev is hitting back at Nikki Garcia’s domestic abuse claims, insisting that he is the real victim in their tumultuous relationship and accusing Nikki of fabricating the allegations against him.
Nikki Garcia and Artem Chigvintsev’s ongoing legal battle has taken a dramatic turn, with both accusing the other of being the aggressor in an August 29 domestic dispute.
Nikki alleges that Artem “tackled” her and pinned her down in front of their son, Matteo, while Artem insists he was trying to shield their child from conflict. Both have been granted restraining orders, with conflicting accounts of the altercation. Each side claims innocence, adding fuel to the highly publicized case.
Competing Restraining Orders Filed
Following Artem’s arrest on August 29, Nikki filed for a temporary Domestic Violence Restraining Order, which was granted on September 30. In response, Artem filed his own restraining order request on October 3, claiming Nikki was the true aggressor. Both orders were granted, and the couple is set to face off in court later this month.
Nikki’s restraining order requires Artem to stay at least 100 yards away from her and Matteo, except for visitation. Artem’s request was based on claims that Nikki “escalated” the August 29 argument, which started over how to toast their son’s English muffin.
Conflicting Versions of the Incident
According to court filings obtained by TMZ, Nikki accused Artem of “tackling” her multiple times during the altercation and pinning her to the ground. She admitted to throwing a shoe at him, but claimed that her actions were driven by overwhelming emotions. “The shoes contacted Chigvintsev’s leg,” Nikki wrote. “I acknowledge it was not right of me to throw the shoes, but I was so overwhelmed with everything that had happened that morning.”
Artem, on the other hand, presented a different account of the incident in his filing obtained by *People*. He claimed that Nikki became aggressive after he took Matteo upstairs to deescalate the situation. He said he didn’t want their son to witness further conflict, but Garcia allegedly forced her way into the room. “I tried to get her off me and away from the door frame so that Matteo would not witness any further conflict,” Artem explained. He alleged that during their struggle, they both ended up on the ground, and he was frightened by her behavior.
Artem also included photos of injuries he claimed to have sustained during the altercation, including marks on his elbow, finger, and neck.
Statements from Both Sides
Following the filing of restraining orders, both parties released statements through their representatives. Nikki’s rep explained that she filed the restraining order to protect herself and her son, saying, “Although Nikki requested that the Napa District Attorney not file charges against Artem as she did not want him to go to jail, he must still be held accountable for his actions.” The statement continued, “Nikki’s number one priority has always been the well-being of her son.”
Artem’s lawyer, Ilona Antonyan, responded with a sharp rebuttal, questioning Nikki’s motivations. “Mr. Chigvintsev contacted law enforcement seeking protection from his wife’s persistent aggression,” Antonyan said. She further alleged that Garcia had been verbally abusive during the 911 call and suggested her statements were driven by concern for her career, claiming Garcia said, “You just ruined my career, and you know it.” Antonyan added that her client’s career had suffered due to the allegations.
Shared Custody of Matteo
Despite the ongoing legal battles, Artem and Nikki have agreed to share custody of their 4-year-old son, Matteo. According to court documents, Artem will have Matteo from October 4-12 while Nikki is on a work trip to London. They will then alternate custody every three days.
As the couple prepares for the October 21 court hearing, their highly publicized dispute has drawn attention from fans and media alike. While each claims to be the victim, the court’s decision will determine how their lives—and Matteo’s—will proceed in the coming months.
Stay tuned for more updates as this developing story continues.
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Olivia Davis is a Staff Writer at All About The Tea. Olivia’s hobbies include binging Netflix series, and watching Housewives on Bravo. She graduated from San Francisco State University with a degree in History.