Controversial NJ Gym Owners Say State Has Seized $165K In Assets

BELLMAWR, NJ — The owners of a South Jersey gym that have constantly defied Gov. Phil Murphy amid the coronavirus pandemic now claim the state has seized all of their assets.

“Governor Phil Murphy seized 100 percent of our assets today — $165k, all of which came from donations and apparel sales,” the owners of the Atilis Gym in Bellmawr said on social media on Thursday. “This is done in the middle of ongoing litigation defending ourselves against these fines, our 80 charges, the revocation of our business license, and the unconstitutional health department shutdown.⁣”

According to a spokesman for Murphy’s office, the $165,000 in question has been frozen as a result of a bank levy that was issued due to the state’s collection efforts. Attorney General's Office spokesman Leland Moore said he was unsure what impact the state's actions have had against the balance of the gym's account.

Moore said the state is seeking $134,463.08 in fines owners Ian Smith and Frank Trumbetti owe after the gym repeatedly reopened their gym in defiance of Murphy’s executive stay-at-home order that was issued early in the pandemic. Read more here: NJ Gym Owners Arrested After Violating Murphy Order: Prosecutor

The state has also filed $139,479.84 in additional sanctions, but no legal judgement had been entered pertaining to that total as of Friday afternoon, according to Moore.

Smith said the gym hasn’t charged its members since April 1. All the money the gym has raised in their legal battle has come from donations and apparel sales on their website and in their gym.

“This will not stop us,” Smith said in a video posted on the gym’s Facebook page. “We will not stand down. We will continue to fight because we know, based on what is outlined in the Constitution, that when we get to the right courts and in front of a judge who respects the Constitution, we will win this case.”

The development comes a few weeks after Smith and Trumbetti launched an effort to recall Murphy. Read more here: Controversial NJ Gym Owners Launch Effort To Recall Gov. Murphy

They have also filed a lawsuit against the state, were arrested and had their license rescinded by the Borough of Bellmawr.

They entered the political arena in August when they joined Republican Rik Mehta's failed campaign as he attempted to unseat Democrat Cory Booker in the U.S. Senate. Read more here: Controversial NJ Gym Becomes Rally Site For Booker Opponent

Gyms were among indoor activities that reopened amid the pandemic in August. As the coronavirus began to spike again, indoor gatherings have been limited to 10 people or fewer. Murphy has said he would try to avoid another statewide shutdown, but "all options are on the table."