On the Bob's Steak & Chop House Hotline, Theft or "Deal Gone Bad"?

Given the reaction of Friends of Unfair Park and Friends of Bob Sambol's this morning, he's perhaps the least likely most-wanted man in town, but there's no disputing a Dallas County grand jury's true bill indictment that landed in our in-box this morning: The namesake of the 16-year-old Bob's Steak...

By Robert Wilonsky

March 27, 2009

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Given the reaction of Friends of Unfair Park and Friends of Bob Sambol's this morning, he's perhaps the least likely most-wanted man in town, but there's no disputing a Dallas County grand jury's true bill indictment that landed in our in-box this morning: The namesake of the 16-year-old Bob's Steak & Chop House on Lemmon Avenue has been accused of stealing more than $200,000 from an investor, Lee Thompson, who says he gave Sambol the dough to help expand the landmark eatery last year -- an expansion that never took place. The indictment was filed March 24, after which a warrant for his arrest would have been issued.

But Sambol tells Nancy Nichols he's turning himself in this morning and then headed to the restaurant as usual. "The guy got angry, and he wants his money, and I don't have the money to pay it back," Sambol tells Nichols. "I am not going to prison."

Update: And now, a word from Mr. Thompson via his attorney via Tim Rogers. Let's skip to the end: "Despite Mr. Sambol's numerous debts and obligations, he continues to cling to an extravagant lifestyle including membership at the exclusive Dallas National Golf Club."

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