The owners of a New Jersey gym were issued a summons for reopening despite the governor’s orders to remain closed during the coronavirus pandemic, and they are “ready for the consequences.”
Atilis Gym in Bellmawr, outside Philadelphia, opened its doors Monday with an estimated 200 supporters crowding outside and cheering the move. Some of the supporters waved American flags and held posters with pro-President Trump messages.
Local police told co-owners Ian Smith and Frank Trumbetti that they were in violation of the state order but soon left the premises, telling those gathered outside to “have a good day.” Officers came back later, however, and issued Smith and Trumbetti a disorderly conduct summons.
“HAVE A GOOD DAY”: Police in Camden County told the owners of a New Jersey gym that reopened this morning that they were “formally” in violation of the state’s shutdown order. “On that note, have a good day. Everybody be safe.”
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“I assume that they came back because they received an order from higher up,” Smith said on Monday’s Tucker Carlson Tonight.
“Moments earlier, probably about a half-hour earlier … we had that beautiful exchange with the officers that had been present all day and whom we’ve had nothing but great exchange with. It’s been love and positive all day,” he continued. “With the exception of handing over a summons, it remained that way.”
Smith added that he plans to keep his gym open for the rest of the week. The offense could send the co-owners to jail for six months or force them to pay a fine of up to $1,000, according to state law.
