Bellmawr

In the ongoing saga of Atilis Gym of Bellmawr, NJ and Governor Murphy, the latest claim by the gym's owner is frightening.

The state wants to collect on a recent chunk of daily fines, totaling $124,000, based on the Bellmawr gym's flagrant violations of pandemic protocols.

Gov. Phil Murphy has given the thumbs up for gyms to fully open starting Sept. 1 — and that includes the gym that's made national headlines for defying the governor.

The Bellmawr gym that's defiantly reopened since May is dealing with a lost license and more than $300,000 in fines, Ian Smith said.

Murphy on Friday continued to tease a fuller reopening of fitness centers, which along with indoor dining and theaters, are one of the few businesses that remain under the strictest restrictions.

Ian Smith, one of the owners, called in to update us on the ongoing saga after the courts ruling today.

Ian Smith talked to me all about it just after his license was pulled.

Owner says he'll comply with the governor's orders going forward.

The owners of the gym have been trying to stay open for the last few months in defiance of Gov. Murphy's executive orders.

Prosecutors for the state said the Bellmawr business can pay such steep fines given the "galling nature" of continued contempt.