'Psychologically abused': Allegations emerge about San Antonio attorney Martin Phipps after arrest

Martin Phipps, a prominent San Antonio attorney and owner of a popular River Walk bar, is accused of psychologically and verbally abusing his then-wife, according to an arrest affidavit. Phipps, 51, was arrested Monday by the San Antonio Police Department on suspicion of telephone harassment, a Class B misdemeanor, for repeatedly contacting 24-year-old Brenda Vega, to whom he was briefly married, the affidavit alleges. Vega told San Antonio police in December she had to get away from Phipps after he confronted her in “an aggressive and agitated state” and that he may have been under the influence of drugs at the time, according to the court documents. The documents did not divulge details about what led to the confrontation.

Vega fled to Mexico, leaving behind her personal belongings, because she was “in such fear for her life,” the affidavit said. While she was on her way to the airport, Phipps called and texted her multiple times asking her to return, but Vega refused and asked him to stop contacting her. According to the court documents, Phipps attempted to get a hold of Vega 40 times, mostly through text messages, the day after she left. Police described his actions as “reasonably likely to demean, harass, alarm and torment the victim.” On Dec. 19, a week before the confrontation, the two signed a marriage certificate. When Vega returned from Mexico in January, she filed a report with SAPD alleging that Phipps was verbally abusive and while no physical violence had occurred “she wanted to document that she was scared of (Phipps),” court records show. She also asked officers how to obtain a protective order. Vega filed for annulment of the marriage, saying she was fearful of violent retaliation and threats of civil litigation for leaving Phipps, the affidavit said. She alleged that Phipps “induced (her) to enter into the marriage by duress,” according to the original annulment documents. The annulment was granted on Jan. 22 by state District Judge Laura Salinas after it was amended to list both husband and wife as co-petitioners, indicating that they both wanted the annulment, court records show. In the amended version, the duress allegation was excluded. Vega, who was Phipps’ former legal assistant, started with his law firm in January 2020, according to her LinkedIn profile.