Starrels Charged With Threatening Restaurant Owner, Customers
By • August 20, 2019 0 1287
Former Georgetown-Burleith Advisory Neighborhood Commissioner Bill Starrels was arraigned last week for alleged threats against Beshar Mehiar, owner of Charcoal Town Hookah & Shawarma at 1027 31st St. NW, and his customers, because of late-night noise. Starrels pleaded not guilty.
Mehiar, in an affidavit at the Superior Court of the District of Columbia, said that Starrels told him on May 24: “I’m going to shoot you, your customers, and the Muslims standing outside.”
The court filing continued: “The Complainant states that Defendant Starrels has been asked several times in the past not to return to the restaurant due to his harassing behavior. However, Defendant Starrels continues to walk in and around the restaurant, videotaping customers.”
Starrels, who lives a few doors north in a condominium, represented the neighborhood as a commissioner of ANC 2E from 2000 to 2017. As an elected official, he criticized some restaurants and bars for loud noise and crowds outside their establishments late at night.
Starrels did not offer a statement to The Georgetowner, but his attorney Joseph Gonzalez told WTOP, “Mr. Starrels adamantly denies these allegations. He did not threaten anyone. He looks forward to the opportunity to establish his innocence.”
Charcoal Town at 1027 31st St. NW in Georgetown. Georgetowner photo.
