Columbia City Councilman charged with criminal domestic violence

COLUMBIA, S.C. (WOLO) – Columbia city councilman Moe Baddourah has been charged with criminal domestic violence, according to Richland County Sheriff’s investigators.

Richland County Sheriff Leon Lott said Baddourah turned himself in Saturday. He’s charged with criminal domestic violence 2nd.

Investigators said the incident happened just after 6 p.m. Wednesday at 2719 Rosewood Drive (Rockaways Restaurant). Deputies were called to the scene in reference to a domestic disturbance. The Sheriff said that the location was a drop off-pick up point where Baddourah and his wife conducted child custody exchanges. Officials said the two were involved in a verbal altercation that turned physical when the victim’s leg was slammed in the car door by Baddourah. Deputies said it took them several days to investigate exactly what happened, which led them to Saturday’s arrest.

Baddourah is being lodged at Alvin S. Glenn Detention Center.

The councilman has responded to the charges with this statement:

“The accusation made is false.  Unfortunately my wife and I are going through an unpleasant divorce, and accusations like this sometimes occur. By my wife’s own account to the police, the argument was over her snatching my cell phone, and my effort to prevent her from locking her door with my phone. At no time did I physically assault her. 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.”