Ohio Restaurateur Avoids Prison After Admitting to Strangling Girlfriend

Robert “Bobby” George, 44, a Cleveland-area businessman and owner of TownHall restaurant and Barley House, has accepted a plea deal in connection with a violent June 2024 assault on his girlfriend, avoiding prison time. George, of Lakewood, had been charged with multiple felonies, including attempted murder, rape, and attempted strangulation. Under the plea agreement, he will serve five years of probation, also known as community control.

According to prosecutors, George attacked his 25-year-old girlfriend over several hours, forcing a towel down her throat, biting her nose, spitting in her face, and throwing her around the home they shared. At one point, he allegedly asked her, “You think God is going to help you?” while she prayed for her safety. The assaults allegedly spanned from November 2023 to July 2024.

Cuyahoga County Common Pleas Court Judge Joy Kennedy told George that if not for the joint recommendation of probation, he may have faced prison time. The plea carries up to one year behind bars if he violates the terms, which include no contact with the victim or her family, as well as 20 hours of community service in the first six months.

Prosecutor Jane Hanlin stressed that George would remain a convicted felon for life. She highlighted the victim’s courage in cooperating with authorities over 14 months and emphasized the importance of holding George accountable for his abusive behavior. The victim submitted a statement describing ongoing trauma, difficulty trusting others, and fear for her safety.

George released a statement claiming the prosecution was politically motivated, comparing his situation to former President Donald Trump, and asserting he was “not admitting to a crime but rather acknowledging taking a single step toward a crime.” He cited potential impacts on his family, friends, and the more than 2,000 employees he oversees as reasons for accepting the plea.

This case has drawn attention due to George’s public profile and the severity of the attacks, as well as the light sentence resulting from the plea agreement.