TownHall owner Bobby George pleads not guilty at arraignment
Warning: The incidents listed in the arrest warrant are graphic.
CLEVELAND, Ohio (WOIO) - Cleveland business owner Bobby George pleaded not guilty at his arraignment in Cuyahoga County Court of Common Pleas Thursday.
George, 44, was indicted by information on one count of attempted strangulation, a fifth-degree felony, for an attack on a woman in 2024.
The owner of TownHall and other major Cleveland businesses, originally faced multiple charges, including attempted murder, four counts of kidnapping, two counts of strangulation, felonious assault, and rape.
The judge continued the $200,000 bond at 10% set in Cleveland Municipal Court in August 2024 and George remains out on bond.
His next court hearing is a pre-trial scheduled for Nov. 10.
Special Prosecutor Jane Hanlin told 19 News George, who waved his right to a grand jury and was charged directly by prosecutors, will plead guilty and not go to trial.
According to the arrest warrant, a woman told Cleveland police the alleged physical and verbal abuse happened between November 2023 and July 2024.
On Nov. 14, 2023, the arrest warrant said George pinned the victim to the ground and put his hands around her neck, which “made her unable to breathe or move.”
During the strangulation, the arrest warrant said George slammed the victim’s head multiple times.
The victim reportedly had “blurred vision, ringing in her ears and bleeding from her ears.”
According to the arrest warrant, the victim was then treated by his business’ nurse practitioner and the victim was diagnosed with post-concussion syndrome.
In another incident, the arrest warrant said George followed the victim to her car, held a gun to the car window and forced her to get out of the car.
The warrant said George then held a gun to the victim’s stomach and led her back inside the home she had just run from.
Between the dates of June 8 and June 10, 2024, the arrest warrant said George pushed a towel down the victim’s throat.
After this, George allegedly said, “You think God is going to help you,” according to the warrant.
The warrant stated George said this after the woman prayed she would not die.
During this incident, the arrest warrant said George placed “one or both hands around her neck” and attempted to strangle and suffocate her.
The arrest warrant also said George threw her around the home they shared.
The warrant said George refused to let the victim leave the home during this altercation.
The victim tried to hide in the closet of the home during this incident, according to the warrant.
The warrant claims George also raped the victim as she was coming out of the shower in one instance.
In another alleged attack, the warrant said George is accused of throwing the victim into a closet as she tried to leave.
George is involved with several local businesses in the Cleveland and Columbus area, including the following:
- Ethos Hospitality Group
- Bobby George Restaurants
- REBoL
- TownHall
- Harry Buffalo
- Green Goat Cafe Bar
- Lost Social Club
- Barley House
- Lyv wellness space
- Red space events
- Mandrake - Columbus
- Townhall - Columbus
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