Posted on 06/04/2024 8:45:16 AM PDT by grundle
The owner of Atilis Gym in Bellmawr and his former business partner have been cleared of dozens of charges after the gym violated Gov. Phil Murphy's shutdown orders in 2020
The owner of a New Jersey gym that violated COVID protocols and faced more than 80 charges and summons after opening amid the pandemic, in violation of requirements set by Gov. Phil Murphy, has seen all of the charges dropped.
In an interview with NBC10's Brian Sheehan, Frank Trumbetti of Williamstown, who initially co-owned Atilis Gym in Bellmawr with Ian Smith of Delanco Township, said all the charges he and Smith faced -- including opening a non-essential business amid the pandemic, creating a public nuisance and related charges -- were dropped on Tuesday.
"It’s just been a long time coming," Trumbetti said.
Trumbetti said that a judge dropped all charges and 80 summons that the owners faced after they opened amid the pandemic.
The court's decision comes nearly four years after the pair was arrested and charged for defying New Jersey's state order that prohibited businesses that were deemed non-essential, from operating at the height of the pandemic.
The gym initially closed in March of 2020 due to this regulation. However, it reopened two months later -- and remained open -- despite repeated court orders for the gym to shutdown.
"1,528 days ago, they actually shut us down, asked for 14 days to flatten the curve," Trumbetti recalled. "When we opened up, we felt like we were doing something to help people.”
Trumbetti said that the ruling was made on April 24th, however the state had a week to appeal. Now, that week has passed.
“It’s a big relief because it’s been held over our heads for over four years and now at least I don’t have to worry coming at me for that," Trumbetti said.
The charges were the first in what was a long-running dispute that's played out mostly in verbal sparring between New Jersey officials, including Gov. Murphy, and the two co-owners. At one point, the gym was shutdown by the state's health department, as well.
“I took it upon myself because everything I’ve worked for and how you gonna tell me I can’t go to work but I need to pay my bills? I mean, we didn’t qualify for any of the PPE money," argued Trumbetti in discussing his decision to push back against the shutdown order.
Overall, Trumbetti said his gym paid about $269,000 in fines and court fees before the charges were ultimately dropped.
But, he said, his fight isn't over yet.
“I want someone to be held accountable for it, what they’ve done. Because everything that we said from day one has been validated," he said.
NBC10 has reached out to courts as well as the Attorney General's Office for comment on this case. However, these offices have not returned a request for comment.
Those who scoff at the lawfare aimed at Trump won’t be smiling when they are pulled into the dock.
I’m sure the State is going to pay them for all their legal costs, right?
1) Hindsight is 20-20.
2) Justice is not swift-that’s good here.
This is what happens to those who resist Fascists. They throw the book at you and destroy your business and bankrupt you, and as we have seen with J6ers, they lock you in a dungeon to be at the mercy of leftist warders who hate you.
And the rest...as they say...is history.
He needs to sue the state in a class action lawsuit.
And that really is something Trump should highlight in his campaign. He should bring common citizens up to tell their story of being victimized by lawfare. It happens all the time.
And Trump is still the only guy standing between us and Deep State.
If you want accountability you must sue the people who signed off onthis crappola. Go after the local health official who recommended the lockdown. Then, the local coppers (by name) who enforced it.
Go for them by name.
Stories like this are the reason why anyone who flies one of those stupid “Back the Blue” flags is a delusional fool.
Yup
Too bad nothing like that will ever happen here in the Supreme Soviet of Washington. Reichsfuhrer Inslee basically told his lapdog AG Bob Ferguson to go after any business that stood up to his edict. Several businesses were shut down, including a small cafe that served really good food and had been open for over50 years.
And, come this November (barring an absolute miracle of Almighty God), Ferguson is very likely going to be the next governor, and he’s going to be WORSE than Inslee, if that’s possible.
Inslee is just an atheist (by his own admission), but Fergie actively HATES both Christians and Conservatives.
Government destroys. This is a fact.
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