Columbia City Councilman Moe Baddourah was arrested Saturday and charged with criminal domestic violence in the second degree after what officials say was an altercation with his wife.
The Richland County Sheriff's Department is investigating the incident which occurred Wednesday evening at Rockaway Athletic Club on Rosewood.
The department reported that Baddourah met with his wife, Carrie, at a drop-off point at the restaurant to pick up their two children, and their exchange escalated into a verbal clash. The matter became physical when officials say that Baddourah slammed a car door on his wife's leg. Columbia police responded to the incident, and a few days' investigation by the Sheriff's Department resulted in Baddourah's arrest Saturday.
Baddourah turned himself in, according to Richland County Sheriff Leon Lott. He also responded in denial of the accusations against him.
“The accusation made is false," Baddourah said. "Unfortunately my wife and I are going through an unpleasant divorce, and accusations like this sometimes occur."
Baddourah says that the altercation involved his wife taking his phone and him trying to prevent her from locking it in the car.
"At no time did I physically assault her," he said. "Due to the circumstances and the ages of our two boys, for their sake, I ask for the media’s discretion in its reporting of all this.”
Baddourah has served on the city council since 2012. He was also the owner of the Columbia restaurant Moe's Grapevine for ten years. He closed the establishment at the end of 2015 and accepted a teaching position at USC's College of Hospitality, Retail and Sport Management and a position as director of the McCutchen House on the Horseshoe.
Baddourah was released from jail Saturday and must appear back in court or be charged with a $10,000 fine, The State reports. Pending a family court hearing next week, Baddourah was ordered by a judge not to come within 1,000 feet of Carrie or their two children.
Charges of second-degree criminal domestic violence call for up to three years in prison and/or a fine between $2,500 and $5,000.
USC spokesman Wes Hickman has said that the university cannot comment on the status of Baddourah's employment.