Bobby George bond set at $200,000 for charges of attempted murder, rape and kidnapping

Catch up quick: A warrant for George's arrest, first obtained by WKYC, was issued after a criminal complaint alleged a series of crimes committed between November 2023 and July.

• George was charged with nine felony counts, which also include assault and strangulation.

The big picture: George owns the popular eateries TownHall in Ohio City, Rebol on Public Square and Barley House in the Warehouse District, among others.

• He is part of a wealthy, litigious and politically influential family. His father, the entrepreneur and Harry Buffalo owner Tony George, donates to both Republicans and Democrats, including recently to Mayor Justin Bibb.

The latest: In the courtroom yesterday, Bobby George's attorney, Kevin Spellacy, and the prosecution both asked Judge Shiela Turner McCall for a $100,000 bond.

The intrigue: In comments to the media, Spellacy denied the criminal allegations against his client and disparaged the protocols of the Cleveland Department of Law.

• He suggested prosecutors pursued charges, in part, on the basis of the George family's notoriety.

• "George is a hot-button name," Spellacy said. "If his name was Smith, we wouldn't be talking right now."

The other side: Cleveland Law Director Mark Griffin said in a statement that the case was handled just like others investigated by the police's domestic violence unit.

• "Information is gathered, evidence is presented to the prosecutor, and an objective decision is made solely based on the facts.
• "It's imperative for the public to know that this case was treated according to standard protocols like any other case — regardless of the defendant's name, title, or occupation."