Tech CEO pleads not guilty to assaulting actress
The chief executive of San Diego tech company Entropic Communications Inc. has pleaded not guilty to assaulting an actress who appeared on the reality-TV show “Beverly Hills Nannies.”
Patrick Henry entered the plea before Judge Shauna Kerr during a brief appearance Tuesday at the Summit County Justice Court in Park City, Utah. Kerr scheduled Henry’s trial for June 19.
The 51-year-old executive is accused of assaulting actress and model Ariane Bellamar on Jan. 23 at his vacation home during the Sundance Film Festival. Prosecutors also allege that Henry smashed the woman’s mobile phone when she attempted to call 911.
He is charged with three misdemeanors: assault, damaging a communications device and criminal mischief. Each charge carries a maximum sentence of six months in jail and a $1,000 fine. Henry pleaded not guilty to all charges Tuesday.
Photos: Top 10 Southern California companies
Bellamar appeared in several episodes of “Beverly Hills Nannies” with her now-former husband and the couple’s daughter.
The 35-year-old woman told the news website Radar Online that the trouble started when Henry “started doing shots … and became very jealous of the attention his friends were paying me.”
Bellamar said later that night, Henry pulled her out of bed and assaulted her.
After the charges were filed last month, Henry released a statement through a spokesman denying wrongdoing.
“The statements made by Ms. Bellamar are not consistent with the facts. Mr. Henry did not attack or assault her,” the statement said. “Ms. Bellamar had been drinking heavily and was intoxicated before dinner; she continued to drink during and after dinner. We are confident that when the facts come out, they will validate that Mr. Henry neither attacked nor assaulted her.”
The tech company Entropic makes semiconductors used in home entertainment products. The company paid Henry $2.4 million in salary, stock and other compensation in 2012, according to Entropic’s 2013 proxy statement.
On its website, Entropic said Henry is “a recognized leader in the connected home entertainment market [who] brings more than 25 years of high-tech and executive management experience to Entropic.”
ALSO:
Pending U.S. home sales drop in February, marking 8th straight decline
Freddie Mac: Average 30-year mortgage rate at 4.4%, up from 4.32%
Fourth-quarter economic growth revised up to still-tepid 2.6%
Follow Stuart Pfeifer on Twitter
