VALPARAISO -- The problems did not end for Valparaiso resident Michael Klemoff when he pleaded guilty in Lake County to battering a woman.

The 56-year-old is back in court this week defending himself against a civil suit brought by his victim, Linda Woods, of Portage.

Woods is seeking an undisclosed amount of money from Klemoff to cover medical bills and other costs stemming from the beating she suffered Sept. 19, 2000, at a home in Griffith.

Klemoff was the first to take the stand as the trial began Tuesday morning before a jury and Porter Superior Judge Roger Bradford.

He admitted to striking Woods four or five times before she fell unconscious, yet denied knowledge of any of the injuries illustrated in photos shown to him by attorney Theodore Stacy.

Stacy said his client suffered two black eyes and had to have four crowns applied to her teeth after the attack. She also suffers impaired breathing from a fractured nose, he said.

Crown Point defense attorney Ben Murphy, who repeatedly objected during the questioning of his client, said Woods did not seek immediate medical attention.

"This is a case about money," he said.

Bob Kasarda can be reached at bkasarda@nwitimes.com or (219) 462-5151, ext. 345.