At what point in time do you decide it's okay that the guy that you made sues you and then all of this isn't a strain? I'm sure if someone sued you it would never be water under the bridge, even if it was in 2004. I think all of this falls into the category of a strained relationship. When would you forgive the guy?
Sorry I offended some of you, but I have a problem with a grown ass man behaving the way he did. It probably only scratches the surface. IDGAF if she's 19 and legal, he doesn't have enough brains to know what's at stake when he has his dick in his hand and his face on camera? I lost all respect for the man, he's a dirty old pervert and I can't fathom why some of you are defending him unless you are aligned with him. Do the guys I offended have daughters? Your feelings about these type of people will change when you do. Either way, I've made it clear I'm NOT on his side and don't get how you could possibly flip this onto Mustaine.
Personally, I don't know how you forgive someone, who was at some point a friend, who sues you for millions. Perhaps, it really was his new-found faith kicking in. Or, maybe he simply felt sorry for Ellefson. Who knows?!? But, you gotta imagine that the resentment doesn't disappear completely. The strained relationship could simply be from that. It could possible be from Mustaine getting fed up with all of Ellefson's 1000 projects outside of Megadeth. Or, perhaps he hated the Tom guy who is partners with him in all of his stuff. It definitely sounds like Ellefson is the only person who likes him. If you're gonna put that "strained relationship" part out there, I think you have to expound upon that a bit or not mention it at all.
As for him being a "dirty old pervert", I think that's going a bit far. I apologize if this comes off as crass but, have you never watched porn? I'm 47, married and have a 14-year old daughter. And, I don't think any differently about him. Personally, I'd like to think that I've raised my daughter well enough that she wouldn't go online with strangers and do this type of thing. Thank God, she has a really good head on her shoulders! Anyway, this is no different from watching porn (I've done) or chatting up some webcam chick (I've never done). The only difference is he's famous and he was careless/stupid to allow himself to be filmed. He's human and made a mistake, a really dumb one. I guess I'm "defending him" because, with the limited information out there at the moment, I don't really think he did anything "wrong". How many actors, actresses, musicians and athletes have actually cheated on their spouses and continue to be supported and adored by the public (Kobe Bryant, Michael Jordan, Brad Pitt, Madonna)?!? I'm not condoning the actions of ANY of these people, Ellefson included. I'm simply stating people have done far worse than him and felt way less repercussions. The people I feel the worst for are his wife and family. This whole thing is gonna be horrible for them.
I think what I have the biggest problem with are the bitch statements "Megadeth" has released since this has all come to light:
"There are clearly aspects of David's private life that he has kept to himself."
Well, duh?!? That's why it's called a personal life. You don't have to share 100% of your life with anyone you don't want to.
"While we do not know every detail of what occurred, with an already strained relationship, what has already been revealed now is enough to make working together impossible moving forward."
So, "they" admit to firing him without knowing all the facts. And, what has really been revealed?!? He jerked it on video with a legal consenting adult.
I'd feel better if the statement was directly from Mustaine and stated something like "Things have been strained between me and David ever since he sued me over 15 years ago. I've tried to be a bigger man. But, there are things I just can't move past. I don't like all of his extra-curricular projects. And, this embarrassing situation was simply the last straw. I wish him well in the future. But, David Ellefson is no longer in Megadeth." Mustaine is the boss and can get rid of anyone in that band any time he wants. At least it wouldn't have been some veiled legalese bullshit statement. I would've respected him for that.