Bobby George’s ‘hurt feelings don’t trump the First Amendment,’ Case’s law clinic director says

Courts and Justice Updated: Nov. 20, 2025, 6:11 p.m. Published: Nov. 20, 2025, 2:26 p.m. First Amendment experts call the Cleveland businessman’s legal threats meritless after he sent cease-and-desist letters to Instagram accounts that mentioned his recent felony conviction.Plain Dealer CLEVELAND, Ohio – Case Western Reserve University’s First Amendment Clinic on Wednesday blasted a cease-and-desist campaign aimed at social media users who posted about Cleveland businessman Bobby George’s recent felony conviction. One letter, dated Nov. 6, threatened a defamation lawsuit against Instagram user Ohio 50501 over an online flyer calling for a boycott of George’s businesses and promoting a Nov. 8 rally at TownHall, one of his flagship restaurants. The flyer was circulated among several accounts; it’s unclear who created it. The flyer referenced George’s conviction. On Nov. 3, George pleaded guilty in Cuyahoga County Common Pleas Court to attempted strangulation and was sentenced to five years of probation. The plea deal resolved charges that were initially far more severe: Cleveland city prosecutors had accused George of attempted murder and rape, alleging he choked a 25-year-old woman, shoved a towel down her throat, bit her and kept her from leaving for hours. Special prosecutor Jane Hanlin said the agreement ensured
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