Editing David Ellefson (section)

==Personal life==
===Marriage and children===
Ellefson and his wife, Julie, were married in 1993.<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/music/rock/megadeth-react-sexually-explicit-videos-bassist-david-ellefson-9570375|title=Megadeth React to Reports of Leaked Sexually Explicit Videos of Bassist David Ellefson|magazine=Billboard|date=May 11, 2021|author=Gil Kaufman}}</ref>  They have a son and a daughter.<ref>[https://www.foxnews.com/entertainment/megadeth-bassist-david-ellefson-breaks-silence-dismissal-sexual-misconduct-allegations Former Megadeth bassist David Ellefson breaks silence on dismissal, sexual misconduct allegations] Fox News May 28, 2021</ref> 

===Feud with Mustaine===
Mustaine intended to release a solo album in 2004, which would become ''[[The System Has Failed]]'', although due to contractual obligations, Mustaine released it under the Megadeth name.<ref name=MegadethIsMe>{{cite web|title=Dave Mustaine: 'Anyone Who Says That Megadeth Isn't Me Is A Fool'|url=http://www.blabbermouth.net/news/dave-mustaine-anyone-who-says-that-megadeth-isn-t-me-is-a-fool/|website=Blabbermouth.net|date=March 31, 2007|access-date=October 6, 2012}}</ref> Ellefson and Mustaine had a severe legal disagreement over royalties and rights to Megadeth's name and back catalog, resulting in Ellefson filing an unsuccessful lawsuit. Though the two once enjoyed a close friendship, considerable animosity developed between Ellefson and Mustaine during this period to the point that on Ellefson's website, Megadeth was not mentioned in his biography, only in the discography.

In a mid-2005 podcast, Ellefson did not mention his past with Megadeth at all, instead concentrating on discussing his current projects. Mustaine felt Ellefson was unfairly using the Megadeth name when advertising an amplifier for [[Peavey Electronics|Peavey]]. Mustaine claims to have had dinner with Ellefson around Christmas in 2005 to talk things through; this got them on good terms, as Mustaine has stated that they spoke on the phone numerous times afterward.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.blabbermouth.net/news/megadeth-s-dave-mustaine-i-am-over-the-feuds-with-metallica-and-david-ellefson/|title=Megadeth's Dave Mustaine: 'I Am Over The Feuds With Metallica And David Ellefson'|publisher=Roadrunnerrecords.com|date=February 4, 2006|access-date=August 7, 2011}}</ref> In 2010 Mustaine and Ellefson agreed to keep any unresolved issues in the past and were working on building and maintaining their friendship again.{{Wikisource|David Ellefson v Megadeth}} Since this time Ellefson has gone on to say that he feels "that having that time away created a realization for both of us that, while we are both productive individually, Megadeth is definitely stronger with both of us in it together."<ref>{{cite web |title=Interview With Dave Ellefson, Founding Member of Megadeth |url=https://casinoreviews.com/blog/casinoreviews-interviews-dave-ellefson-founding-member-of-megadeth |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240129150826/https://casinoreviews.com/blog/casinoreviews-interviews-dave-ellefson-founding-member-of-megadeth |url-status=usurped |archive-date=January 29, 2024 |access-date=January 30, 2024 |work=CasinoReviews}}</ref>

Ellefson's dismissal from Megadeth in 2021 spurred renewed tensions with Mustaine, with the pair frequently attacking each other in interviews. Ellefson accused Mustaine of “not having his back” when the sexual misconduct allegations against him surfaced, while Mustaine has downplayed Ellefson's contributions to Megadeth and denied he was a founding member of the band.<ref>{{cite web |title=Yes, Dave Mustaine and David Ellefson are still talking smack about each other |url=https://www.loudersound.com/news/yes-dave-mustaine-and-david-ellefson-are-still-talking-smack-about-each-other |website=Metal Hammer |date=October 10, 2022 |access-date=March 13, 2023}}</ref>

===Christianity===
Ellefson, like his ex-bandmate [[Dave Mustaine]], is a committed Christian. "Well, I was actually brought up in a Christian household, so I have, you know, a pretty broad knowledge of it; [I had] strayed from it for quite a while, [but] now that I have children, I actually do go to church, so I've kinda sorta returned to it, you know?"<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.hmmagazine.com/soandsosays/archives/000406.php?page=1 |title=HM Magazine |publisher=HM Magazine |access-date=July 8, 2011}}</ref> Ellefson further discussed his Christianity in a 2010 interview on [[Christian metal#Christian metal radio|The Full Armor of God Broadcast]] explaining "I've found that when you just suit up and show up and walk your talk instead of talking your talk all the time, that is often the best testimony!"<ref>{{cite web |url=http://podcast.fullarmorradio.com/2011/07/14/the-full-armor-of-god-broadcast-10th-anniversary-season-priemier.aspx |title=Full Armor of God Broadcast |publisher=Full Armor Radio |access-date=April 19, 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131203020930/http://podcast.fullarmorradio.com/2011/07/14/the-full-armor-of-god-broadcast-10th-anniversary-season-priemier.aspx |archive-date=December 3, 2013 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.hmmagazine.com/exclusive/f5200508/index.php |title=HM – Internet Exclusives |publisher=Hmmagazine.com |access-date=July 8, 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110720033541/http://www.hmmagazine.com/exclusive/f5200508/index.php |archive-date=July 20, 2011 }}</ref>

In an article titled CODA – Ready for a MEGA Life, Ellefson indicated that in the fall of 2007 he began the new MEGA Life Ministries worship service in Scottsdale, AZ. "Oddly, the service has become one of my most rewarding and musically invigorating gigs I've ever had{{nbsp}}... a gig that literally landed in my lap and not something I had to chase down either. Not only are the parishioners respectful (no bar fights, spilled drinks and foul mouthed hecklers in the crowd like many secular gigs) but it's a musical event my whole family participates in. Plus, I was finally given the venue to put into practical application the very words I'd been trying to live by for many years which is 'Play music for God, not us'."<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.megalifeministries.org/Portals/27/2321/54-CM%202008%2004%20jul-aug.pdf |title=megalifeaz.org |publisher=Megalifeministries.org |access-date=July 8, 2011 }}{{dead link|date=December 2017 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> Ellefson began studying for the ministry in the [[Lutheran Church–Missouri Synod]] through an extension program of [[Concordia Seminary]] in St. Louis.<ref>{{cite web|last=Townsend|first=Tim|title=Megadeth Bassist Studying For Lutheran Ordination at Concordia|url=http://www.stltoday.com/lifestyles/faith-and-values/seminarians-they-are-even-megadeth-bassist/article_c71bc9b3-dd0d-5126-b2c1-0513931559bb.html|work=[[St. Louis Post-Dispatch]]|date=January 19, 2012|access-date=April 4, 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Megadeth's David Ellefson Talks About Christian Rock|url=http://www.blabbermouth.net/news/megadeths-david-ellefson-talks-about-christian-rock-audio/|website=Blabbermouth.net|date=February 20, 2014|access-date=April 4, 2014}}</ref>

===Controversy===
On May 10, 2021, videos of Ellefson masturbating were posted on [[Twitter]]. The videos, recorded in 2020 by a fan that Ellefson was in correspondence with, initially led to accusations of [[child grooming]]. However, Ellefson and the other party both denied the accusations and stated that it was consensual adult conduct. An official statement released the next day from Megadeth stated that the situation was being "watched closely".<ref>{{cite web |title=Megadeth Comments On Leak Of 'Embarrassing' David Ellefson Videos: 'We Are Watching Developments Closely' |url=https://blabbermouth.net/news/megadeth-comments-on-leak-of-embarrassing-david-ellefson-videos-we-are-watching-developments-closely/ |website=Blabbermouth.net|date=May 10, 2021 |access-date=May 11, 2021}}</ref> On May 24, 2021, Dave Mustaine released a statement stating that, in light of the recent allegations and an already strained relationship, Megadeth had officially parted ways with Ellefson again.<ref name="auto" />

On May 26, 2021, Ellefson released the following statement:<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.blabbermouth.net/news/david-ellefson-says-he-is-pursuing-revenge-porn-charges-against-person-who-leaked-very-private-video/|title=David Ellefson Says He is Pursuing 'Revenge Porn' Charges Against Person Who Leaked 'Very Private Video'|date=May 26, 2021|website=Blabbermouth.net}}</ref> 
{{quote|Recently, a very private video was illegally posted on the internet and false allegations were made against me. The actions in the video were between two consenting adults and were recorded without my knowledge. I am working with Scottsdale Police Department in their investigation into charges regarding [[revenge porn]]ography to be filed against the person who posted this video. Also, my lawyers are preparing a defamation lawsuit to be filed against this person. This person will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law. I am taking this time to be with my family. I wish my bandmates the best with their upcoming tour.}}