Judge drops $5,000 penalty for restaurant owner who defied COVID rules
A judge told Dana Tanner she “technically” violated the law, “But I understand why you violated the law because you had to feed your family and pay your bills.”
A judge told Dana Tanner she “technically” violated the law, “But I understand why you violated the law because you had to feed your family and pay your bills.”
Dana Tanner had asked a judge to force the city to return her health permit so she could reopen Restauration, but she says she’s moved on.
“I felt it was my right to operate my business,” Restauration’s owner, Dana Tanner, said when the judge pressed her on why she ignored health orders.
How much should the owner of Restauration pay to avoid facing criminal charges for defying coronavirus rules? It’s in a judge’s hands now.
The site is likely to continue serving as a restaurant, and it’s ideally set up to function as one, at least so long as COVID-19 and its delta variant don’t bring further restrictions.
Restauration set off a firestorm of controversy by staying open during the worst stages of the pandemic. Now it’s closed.
The decision means the misdemeanor case that’s been pending against Restauration owner Dana Tanner can move forward.
The restaurant owner’s attorney, has tried to enter a plea of “once in jeopardy,” essentially claiming the owner was improperly being tried for the same crimes twice.
Dana Tanner, owner of Restauration in Bluff Heights, is still facing a host of other fines and criminal charges.
A Long Beach restaurant owner who defied local coronavirus rules wants a judge to force the city into letting her reopen now that a ban on outdoor dining has been lifted.