Bellmawr gym that defied closure order fined nearly $130,000 by judge

A judge has imposed nearly $130,000 in fines against the owners of Atilis gym in Bellmawr after they have repeatedly defied Gov. Phil Murphy’s executive order to remain closed during the COVID-19 pandemic.

News 12 Staff

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Aug 19, 2020, 1:26 PM

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Updated 1,548 days ago

A judge has imposed nearly $130,000 in fines against the owners of Atilis Gym in Bellmawr after they have repeatedly defied Gov. Phil Murphy’s executive order to remain closed during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The gym opened its doors in May, starting a legal battle over whether Gov. Murphy’s order for nonessential businesses to remain closed was constitutional.

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The owners, Ian Smith and Frank Trumbetti, have said they have taken steps to ensure social distancing and taken other safety precautions.

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In issuing his order Tuesday, state Superior Court Judge Robert Lougy said the gym could not “ignore orders with which it does not agree.”

AP wire services helped contribute to this report.