Judge drops top assault charge against 'Linen King' in ex-wife beat case

George Bardwil

Millionaire "Linen King" George Bardwil got good news in his ex-wife-pummelling case this morning when a judge dropped the top assault charge against him.

In dismissing the attempted first degree assault charge -- for which Bardwil, owner of Bardwil Home, had risked a maximum 15 years prison -- the judge wrote that there wasn't enough proof that the beautiful young ex had been hurt badly enough.

Bardwil, 60, remains charged in the incident with second degree assault, which carries up to seven years prison.

Prosecutors say he threw Emiko Bardwil, 26, to the ground and bashed her head into the sidewalk as they fought outside his posh E. 51st St. apartment in May.

Bardwil required staples to close the cut to her head, prosecutors have said. But that doesn't legally count as a "serious physical injury," the judge said today.

"The evidence concerning the first count was legally insufficient to establish that the victim's injuries fell within the definition of serious physical injury," wrote Manhattan Supreme Court Justice Michael Obus.

"We're gratified that the charge has been dismissed," said Bardwil lawyer Michael Bachner.

Asked if he was happy with the judge's ruling, Bardwil smiled slightly and shrugged, saying, "Happier."

The judge put the case on for Nov. 14 for a possible plea disposition.