Artem Chigvintsev ‘lost out on $100k’ following domestic violence arrest and claims Nikki Garcia has ‘anger issues’

Artem Chigvintsev has claimed he lost $100,000 in earnings following his domestic violence arrest – and doubled down on claims that his estranged wife Nikki Garcia is the real abuser.

Chigvintsev, 42, was arrested on August 29 in Yountville, California on domestic violence charges, but prosecutors in Napa County ultimately decided not to file criminal charges in the case.

Garcia, 40, later filed for divorce and unsuccessfully sought sole custody of their son Matteo, four, with the pair obtaining temporary restraining orders against each other.

In legal documents obtained by DailyMail.com and filed Oct. 22 in Napa Superior Court, DWTS pro Chigvintsev — who was suspended from the show’s final season — says the trauma of the arrest and the false accusations led him has lost significant revenue.

The documents say: ‘It is not true that I have not been able to find other work as a dancer. Normally I start working in November and that lasts 20 weekends. After the mugshot and arrest based on her false accusations, I was removed from the website’s faculty list, resulting in a loss of income of over $100,000.

“I also lost the social media promotion income she continues to benefit from because she was more concerned about her career when she lied to the police than mine.”

He demands that Nikki pay his own expenses because the TRO was granted without sufficient supporting facts. He asks her to pay his rent because “I got evicted.” The dancer also wants Nikki to pay some or all of his attorney’s fees and costs.

The couple’s temporary restraining orders against each other have been extended until December 6 – before they are due back in court.

Chigvintsev claims in the documents that Garcia has “anger issues,” saying, “She’s the one with the temper. I try to stay quiet and avoid it. She screams, and on 8/29/24 she screamed after me, and was the one who attacked me.”

‘It is also a lie that I became increasingly angry, snapped and shouted at her.

‘I was not violent towards her and did not forcefully grab her or shout at her.’

He claims the couple had an argument when he had to have surgery but she had to go to New York.

He claims: ‘We had an argument, but it’s not how she describes it. We had agreed months before my operation that she would be there with Matteo. I was supposed to fly on 5/19/24 to have my surgery, she forgot and booked herself for work in New York.

‘She then told me that her work was more important than my medical procedure, so she eventually left. Our son was left with the babysitter. I canceled my ticket and stayed behind. She then started texting me for another flight I could take so I ended up going because she insisted I go. I have texts to prove this.’

In response to the application for a domestic violence restraining order, he claimed: ‘She abused me, not the other way around. She threw shoes at me, followed me and tried to get into the bedroom.”

He disagrees with Nikki’s initial request to place their son under the temporary restraining order.

He writes: ‘I can’t trust her anymore. Not only did she lie to the police to keep her career intact, destroying mine, but she used the court process to keep our son from me for almost a month, not letting me see him until the court had issued its 50/50 orders. on October 15, 2024, for which I am very grateful.

‘Almost a month without Matteo was miserable for me, and I’m sure for him too, and selfish towards his wife.’

Last month, Chigvintsev claimed the former WWE wrestler was “the aggressor” in their domestic violence dispute, leading to his arrest on August 29.

Footage submitted to the California Superior Court showed Chigvintsev marks and bloody scratches on his elbow and hands, as well as behind his ear, which he claims were inflicted by Garcia.

In a statement obtained by Page Six, his lawyer, Ilona Antonyan, claimed: “Mr. Chigvintsev contacted police on 8/29/24 to seek protection from his wife’s continued aggression.”

“While on the phone with the police, Ms. Garcia-Colace made a sharp statement, saying, ‘Do you understand where this is going now, Artem? You just ruined my career, and you know it.” Antonyan continued. .

In her original filing, Nikki alleged that Chigvintsev “tackled me and pushed me to the ground multiple times while our child was present” during an argument over breakfast.

She claimed Chigvintsev “became increasingly angry, snapping and yelling at me” after she was not asked to return to Dancing With The Stars for season 33.

Chigvintsev told me in September People that he was ‘incredibly relieved and grateful that the domestic violence case is being charged’ [him] have fallen.

‘This has been an extremely difficult time for me. I am grateful that the truth has prevailed. My focus has always been and always will be: our son Matteo.’

The ballroom dance expert said he considers fatherhood “the greatest blessing” and is focused on caring for his son in the future.

“All along, my main concern was for him,” Chigvintsev said. I am committed to continuing to provide him with the love, support and care he needs as we move forward.”

He told the publication that he was “hopeful that securing an equal custody arrangement will help us move forward” in life.

“I would like to express my deepest gratitude to my family, friends and legal team for their support during this challenging time,” Chigvintsev said. “Your support has been invaluable, and I am grateful to everyone who believed in me and saw the truth for what it was.

“I look forward to putting this chapter behind me and focusing on what really matters: continuing to be the best father I can be.”

On October 16, the judge ruled that the couple will share custody of their son Matteo, TMZ reported citing court documents, more than a month after Garcia filed for divorce.

Garcia had asked the court for sole custody of their son; asked the court to appoint a supervisor for Matteo’s visits to the Russian native of Izhevsk; and asked that Chigvintsev be ordered to take anger management courses; According to the outlet, all requests were denied by the court.

Chigvintsev told the court on Tuesday that he has no anger-related problems, the newspaper reported.

Both Chigvintsev and Garcia were ordered by the court to take parenting classes to help them remain cordial while raising their child after their divorce.

The trial of Chigvintsev and Garcia in their divorce is scheduled for December and will last two days, according to TMZ.