Prosecutors accused a famed Ohio restaurateur of putting a towel down the throat of a woman he was dating, among other claims, and sentenced him to five years probation.
Robert “Bobby” George, 44, was sentenced on Monday, Nov. 3, after pleading guilty to a fifth-degree felony count of attempted strangulation, according to reports from NBC station WKYC, The Columbus Dispatch, and ABC affiliate WEWS-TV.
He had pleaded not guilty to the charge days before.
George, who runs eateries TownHall and Mandrake Rooftop in Columbus, Ohio, was first charged with attempted murder, rape, and kidnapping, according to court records. The allegations were based on many alleged domestic violence episodes against the 25-year-old victim in 2023 and 2024.
According to court records, the victim, who was dating George, claimed the guy once pointed a gun at her after she left their home and assaulted her after she got out of the shower, WKYC reported.
She reportedly claimed that George put a cloth down her neck and questioned, “You think God is going to help you?” when she prayed, according to court documents cited by WKYC. However, the attempted strangulation accusation stems from a June 2024 incident in which George allegedly choked her many times and hurled her around the house, Cleveland.com stated.
In a statement released following his imprisonment, George rejected the claims and compared himself to President Donald Trump, stating, “Trump was targeted by his political adversaries who had prosecutorial power, as was I. “He was vindicated, and I will be, too,” according to the publication.
George also maintained that his guilty plea was “not admitting to a crime but rather acknowledging taking a single step toward a crime” and that it “has no effect on my life or my freedom,” according to the Dispatch.
“[George’s] conviction is a felony offense of violence, and he will be labeled as a convicted felon for the rest of his life,” Jefferson County prosecutor Jane Hanlin stated in a statement sent to PEOPLE on Wednesday, Nov. 5. “It was crucial to the victim and the State that Mr. George be held accountable for what he did and to put the world on notice about what kind of man he really is.”
Hanlin stated in a statement on behalf of the victim that she now has “difficulty trusting anyone besides family,” according to WKYC.
“I’m triggered with reminders of the abuse I endured daily,” she wrote, according to the outlet. “I’m terrified of the defendant, his lies and manipulation, and what he might do to me or someone I care about in retaliation for speaking out.” To ensure my safety, I moved in with my parents. I find it difficult to travel somewhere alone or outside my residence at all.”
In addition to probation, George was ordered not to contact the victim or her family for five years, according to the Dispatch. According to his sentence guidelines, he will only face time in prison if he breaches his probation, the site stated.
If you are experiencing domestic violence, contact the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233.
