Another chapter has developed in the Atilis Gym’s confrontation with the restraining orders imposed by the New Jersey government. A judge has imposed nearly $130,000 in fines against the owners of the gym that has repeatedly defied Gov. Phil Murphy’s executive order to remain closed during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Atilis gym in Bellmawr, New Jersey opened its doors in May, starting a legal battle over whether Murphy’s order for nonessential businesses to remain closed was constitutional.
You can read: Owners of NJ Atilis gym were arrested after violating restriction orders
Ian Smith and Frank Trumbetti, who are the owners of the controversial business, have said they have taken steps to ensure social distancing and taken other safety precautions.
In issuing his order Tuesday, state Superior Court Judge Robert Lougy said the gym could not “ignore orders with which it does not agree.”
The decision requires the gym and its owners to pay almost $125,000 overall for violating a court order on eight days between Aug. 1-14, and about $10,500 to the state for the legal costs of its contempt of court action.