NJ Gym Owner Racks Up $1.2M in Fines Despite No Single COVID Case Linked to Premises
Atilis gym now remains open, despite the government’s restrictions
© press
The owner of Atilis Gym in Camden County, New Jersey, who made headlines earlier this year after their refusal to comply with the government’s coronavirus order, has racked up over $1.2 Million in fines.
Ian Smith and Frank Trumbetti were arrested and charged with contempt, obstruction, and violating a disaster control act.
But just days later, they reopened their gym, kicking down the wooden panels that had been placed across the entrance.
The Atilis Gym now remains open, despite the government’s best efforts to keep it closed.
But now, the owners face over $1.2 million in fines for their trouble.
“We open every single day. Gov. Murphy has thrown everything he possibly could to shut us down,” Smith said.
© press
“He has arrested my partner and I," he added.
"He’s given us over 60 citations, some of them criminal.
"He fines us $15,497.76 per day for every day that we’re in operation.”
There are $1.2 million total fines, but not one single case of the coronavirus has been connected to Atilis.
Smith says his gym sees approximately 500 to 700 visitors a day, with a total of over 83,000 visits since May.
Although Smith does not mandate masks in his gym, he does utilize safety protocols like social distancing and proper sanitation.
© press
Despite the no mask policy, there has been no coronavirus outbreak traced back to Atilis, Smith said.
Teacher Goes Ballistic In Front of Anti-Lockdown Protesters: “B*tch Kill Yourself!” “F*ck All of You!”
— Neon Nettle (@NeonNettle) December 7, 2020
READ MORE: https://t.co/nL1BSYNeGm
Smith is now working on a national directory of other businesses that are pushing back.
“Think of it as a Yelp directory for businesses that are defying any and all COVID restrictions,” Smith said on FOX Business's “Varney and Co.”
“Whether that be complete shutdowns, arbitrary time limits on when they can and cannot serve alcohol or when they can’t serve food.”
“We’re going to hit that critical point where there’s too many businesses open to punish, and this whole thing will fall apart like a house of cards.”
