I-Team: Businessman Bobby George, charged with rape, threatens to sue city of Cleveland

[Watch previous FOX 8 News coverage in the player above.]

CLEVELAND (WJW) — The FOX 8 I-Team obtained a letter from attorneys representing a local businessman accused of rape and attempted murder, saying they may take legal action against the city.

The I-Team received a copy of the letter, which was sent to the city of Cleveland Law Department, after filing a public records request with Cleveland.

“Thrasher Dinsmore and Dolan LPA is one of the law firms representing Robert George in connection with potential claims against the City of Cleveland and some of its employees arising from the criminal complaint filed against Mr. George on or about August 9, 2024,” the letter states. “When a lawsuit is anticipated, federal and state law require a prospective party to take all reasonable steps to preserve documents, tangible things, and electronically stored information (ESI) that are potentially relevant to the anticipated lawsuit and that are in the prospective party’s possession, custody, or control.”

The letter also seeks emails and correspondence about the decision to charge George, asking for “all communications relating to Mr. George, including but not limited to any and all communications that the City believes to be covered by attorney-client privilege or the attorney-work product doctrine, and the criminal complaint filed against Mr. George.”

Read the full letter below:

Tyler Sinclair, spokesman for the city of Cleveland, said the city “routinely receives preservation letters and abides by them.” He said officials will do the same in this case.

George is facing several charges including rape, kidnapping and attempted murder. His attorney, Kevin Spellacy, has told the I-Team that George is innocent. Spellacy also criticized the investigation, saying officers never reached out to his client to get his side.

A Cleveland police report filed Aug. 8 by George’s ex-girlfriend accuses the 43-year-old of a violent assault that caused her to be hospitalized, and also alleges he put tracking devices on her phone and vehicle.

She told an officer that she could not remember what hospital she was taken to for treatment but that George paid for her medical care.

“The victim states she can recall incidents but does not know the exact dates,” the report states. “Victim states about a year ago she attempted to leave the suspect and he would block her from leaving. The victim states the suspect would pull her hair or kick her to stop her from leaving.”

George is free after posting a $200,000 bond.

His case has been bound over to Cuyahoga County grand jury. It will now be up to grand jurors to determine if George should be indicted.

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