Fines, citations but no compliance: How some restaurants have defied L.A. County on COVID-19

Los Angeles Times ^ | NOV. 26, 2021 | Emily Alpert Reyes

[artichokegrower]

Again and again, public health inspectors returned to the Italian restaurant at the Westlake Village shopping center. They found Novo Cafe serving diners indoors and out, despite a Los Angeles County order forbidding it during the worst wave of the COVID-19 pandemic, according to county records. Over and over, they handed out citations with a $500 fine. In February, the county revoked the restaurant’s public health permit. Novo Cafe stayed open. This summer, co-owner Massimo Forti told an NBC4 news crew who filmed unmasked workers in the restaurant that he saw adhering to mask requirements as a “sign of submission.”

[artichokegrower]

Angelo Bellomo, a former deputy director for the L.A. County Department of Public Health, said the agency has historically fallen short in using citations and fines to push businesses to act. “The department has historically underutilized these tools against noncompliant businesses,” said Bellomo, who retired from the department two years ago. “To be fair, when we did elevate cases to the highest level” — to city or county prosecutors — “they did not receive the urgent attention the department believed was warranted.”

Life is tough for Angelo and his other public employee brothers and sisters who had to survive through this pandemic. Work 20 years for the county and retire with a $150,000 per year pension.

Angelo Bellomo Employer: PUBLIC HEALTH PROGRAM Pension: Los Angeles County Employees Retirement Association (LACERA), 2019 $156,401.16

[Flick Lives]

Holy crap. This POS former deputy director for the L.A. County Department of Public Health was raking in a salary of $360K in 2019.

https://opengovus.com/los-angeles-county-employee/BELLOMO,_ANGELO_J

[DoughtyOne]

Sound like they deserve my business.

[artichokegrower]

This summer, co-owner Massimo Forti told an NBC4 news crew who filmed unmasked workers in the restaurant that he saw adhering to mask requirements as a “sign of submission.”

If I lived there I definitely would go there

[RKBA Democrat]

Note the common thread in all of this: LA county. Deep- blue california.

They don’t deserve good restaurants. Please move the business to a red state and bring people who will appreciate them both jobs and better dining options.

[the OlLine Rebel]

I wish I was in L.A. now.

I’d go there and to the sports bar.

And maybe I’d drop into the gym that needs to close its indoor space. LOL

[Fiji Hill]

If it wasn’t located 80 miles away, I would go and eat there. It should have good food—an Italian restaurant owned by Italians. Many if not most Italian restaurants around here are owned by non-Italians.

[M-cubed]

They don't deserve good restaurants. Please move the business to a red state and bring people who will appreciate them both jobs and better dining options. <<

Not to worry....the government will award new licenses to illegal immigrants in the name of diversity.....

Mexican will be give “Italian” restaurants....Asians will be awarded “Mexican” restaurants etc...and if the food is not good....the government will subsidies those restaurants inlil people develop a taste for true “ethnic” foods...../s

[Fiji Hill]

They don’t deserve good restaurants. Please move the business to a red state and bring people who will appreciate them both jobs and better dining options.

Or to a red county. Here in Orange County--east of the Orange Curtain--customers don't have to wear masks, "social distance" or show vaccination cards.

[TalBlack]

It kinda odd that they haven’t sent SWAT after this guy yet.

[misanthrope]

“ Many if not most Italian restaurants around here are owned by non-Italians.”

Cultural appropriation! ‼️BURN THEM‼️

[PeterPrinciple]

Smart strategy. If they are going to close you down, milk the business and discharge the fines in bankruptcy.

[arthurus]

he saw adhering to mask requirements as a “sign of submission.”

Ver Islamic of him.

[cyclotic]

Only 80 miles? Get in your car and support these people. Do it for the rest of us who live 2500 miles away.

Thanks

[DennisR]

If you do not live near the restaurant, please donate to them at https://www.gofundme.com/f/protecting-our-freedom-our-liberty-constitution?utm_source=customer&utm_medium=copy_link_all&utm_campaign=m_pd+share-sheet

We need to financially stand with anyone who has the guts and courage to defy the insanity. If we don’t, shame on us. I just donated $25. If 100 of us do that, that is $2,500 and a great show of support.

Disclaimer: I live in Washington State (aka USSR-WA) and have no connection in any way to Novo Cafe.

[Fiji Hill]

Turns out they also have a restaurant in Burbank, which is a lot closer, so I'll see if I can get over there.

[cyclotic]

Excellent. Give them the regards of all FReepers.

[jackibutterfly]

Why do we have to go thru GoFundMe? Can’t we just send the donations directly? If so, does anyone have the address?

[jackibutterfly]

Nevermind - I found it:

Novo Cafes: 3900 W. Riverside Dr., Burbank, CA 91505-4326 and 30770 Russell Ranch Rd. Suite G, Westlake Village, CA 91326

[DennisR]

Looks like this should work:

Novo Cafe
30770 Russell Ranch Road, Suite G
Westlake Village, CA 91326