New Jersey Gym Owners Face Legal Battle Over COVID Fines
In the ongoing battle over COVID fines, a co-owner of a gym in South Jersey revealed to “Tucker Carlson Tonight” that the state has completely drained their legal defense funds. Ian Smith, co-owner of Atilis Gym, expressed dismay as he discovered their bank account had been emptied, leaving them with no financial resources to fight back.
“Yesterday morning, my partner [Frank Trumbetti] and I were stunned to find our bank account completely wiped out,” Smith disclosed to Tucker Carlson.
Taking to Twitter, Smith accused New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy and his associates of seizing the entirety of their legal defense funds, totaling a hefty $173,613.60.
This move, Smith argued, amounts to a blatant interference with their right to legal representation.
“If they believe this will deter us, they’re sorely mistaken,” he defiantly declared.
Despite New Jersey regulations permitting gyms to operate under COVID guidelines, Atilis Gym has chosen not to enforce mask-wearing among its patrons, leading to daily fines of $15,000 for non-compliance.
Smith clarified that their legal battle extends beyond the fines, including ongoing litigation against Governor Murphy and State Health Commissioner Judith Persichilli.
However, a spokesperson for the New Jersey Attorney General’s office refuted Smith’s claims, stating that while they haven’t seized the funds, they have obtained judgments against the owners, amounting to $134,463.08.
Further complicating matters, assets totaling $165,222.16 have been frozen as part of the state’s efforts to collect on the judgments.
Undeterred, Smith vowed to convert any future earnings into cash assets, rallying support from their loyal backers.
Meanwhile, Tucker Carlson highlighted the irony of penalizing gym owners who strive to promote health during a pandemic, emphasizing the importance of fitness in combating COVID-19.
Despite facing legal troubles and arrests, Smith maintains that no COVID-19 cases have been linked to Atilis Gym, which has become a symbol of resistance against pandemic-related restrictions.
Their defiance has garnered political attention, with the gym being designated as a “political venue” by GOP U.S. Senate candidate Rik Mehta, granting it immunity from shutdown orders for the duration of his campaign.
In a bold move, Smith personally served Governor Murphy with a Recall Petition, signaling their determination to challenge the status quo.