Video shows local political candidate’s arrest at Miami-Dade restaurant

SUNNY ISLES BEACH, Fla. – Witnesses reported a local political candidate slapped one teenager and choked another in public at a restaurant Sunday in Miami-Dade County.

George Bardmesser, a Russian-American attorney who is campaigning for Sunny Isles Beach commissioner, was arrested after the alleged attack at his neighborhood Cuban restaurant.

Sunny Isles Beach police officers responded to El Tropico Cuban Cuisine, at 17020 Collins Ave., and handcuffed Bardness, 59, who wore a shirt promoting his campaign.

“There was a couple of kids sitting and I don’t know whether they were instigating, said something, generated this gentleman to get up. He put a chokehold on one of the kids and slapped another one,” said Pedro Vera, the owner of the restaurant. “He got out of hand. He lost control. It should have never happened.”

Bardmesser sent an invitation Saturday to a Republican coffee meet-up with Greg Capra, another local candidate, at 2 p.m., on Sunday, at the restaurant.

“We welcome all residents, coffee and light snacks will be provided for guests,” he wrote. “I look forward to seeing you there and discussing our ideas and vision for the future.”

Fabiola Stuyvesant, a Venezuelan-American Sunny Isles Beach commissioner, was attending the meet-up with the 15 and 16-year-old teenagers Bardmesser allegedly assaulted.

“I would never bring my kids to a political event if I thought I was putting them in harm,” Stuyvesant said. “As a parent, it’s the worst nightmare you could have — to see your child be hurt by a big guy.”

Miami-Dade County inmate records show correctional officers booked Bardmesser, who is about 6-foot, 2-inches tall and weighs about 230 pounds, at about 4:35 p.m., Sunday, at the Turner Guilford Knight Correctional Center near Doral.

Records show Bardmesser was facing two counts of child abuse with no great bodily harm.

Miami-Dade Circuit Judge Mindy Glazer gave Bardmesser a $5,000 bond on Monday morning.

The hearing was attended via Zoom by the defendant’s opponent, Sunny Isles Beach Commissioner Fabiola Stuyvesant.

Glazer found probable cause for the charges and issued a stay-away order for the victims.

Glazer also prohibited Bardmesser from contacting the victims directly or indirectly, whether in person or through electronic means and must remain at least 500 feet away from them at all times. However, she did not extend the stay-away order to include the restaurant where the incidents allegedly occurred.

While in court, Stuyvesant shared her fear for her life and the children’s lives, noting that all the children were under her care when the incidents occurred. The judge advised the commissioner to file for a civil injunction if she feels she is in danger.

Records also show Bardmesser, who specializes in intellectual property law, has been a New York State Bar member since 1998. He was also a member of the District of Columbia Bar. He is also the author of fictional books in English and Russian.

Sunny Isles Beach, where Bardmesser lives in a beachfront luxury condo, is known as “Little Moscow” because of its growing Russian American population.

Local 10 News Assignment Desk Editor Mercedes Cevallo contributed to this report.