SAN DIEGO — Hours after a ribbon-cutting ceremony to celebrate the opening of his new restaurant in downtown, Chef Geoff Cole was arrested by San Diego Police. According to arrest records, he faces four charges – two felony counts of sexual battery, one misdemeanor count of sexual battery, and one misdemeanor count of indecent exposure.
Brunch after Dark, or BAD as it's commonly called, held its grand opening party Easter Sunday and everything went off without a hitch, but after the party ended, San Diego police arrested Chef Geoff at another location. Just hours after bailing out of jail, Chef Geoff spoke with CBS 8 at his new restaurant.
“I've never been in jail in my life,” he said. “I never had handcuffs on me.”
Chef Geoff said he still has no idea why officers arrested him.
“They said it's a case from my last restaurant,” he said. “I'm like, I still don't know who the victims are. I don't know what the situation is. So I really don't have much to talk about what happened.”
San Diego Police said the alleged assaults occurred on May 27, 2023, while the victims were inside the Chefs SD restaurant's lounge downtown.
Chef Geoff denies all the allegations.
“The whole time, I'm scratching my head — like, what happened?” he said. “What's going on and just crazy ... A field arrest would come at me with multiple charges during my grand opening. On Easter.”
In the meantime, Chef Geoff plans to move forward. He said the arrest will not affect his new restaurant and he hopes BAD will be something good for the community.
“I like to boost the economy,” Chef Geoff said. “Employ the community and have a place where everybody can hang out at.”
Editor's note: After publishing this story, San Diego Police confirmed the alleged assaults occurred on May 27, 2023, inside Chefs SD in Downtown San Diego, which has since closed. The victims reported the alleged assaults on May 30, 2023, and SDPD's Sex Crimes Unit immediately began an investigation, according to police.
Cole's arraignment is scheduled for 1:30 p.m. April 8 at the San Diego Superior Court downtown.
Police urge anyone with information related to this or any victims of assault to call the SDPD Sex Crimes Unit at 619-531-2210.