Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel announced the arrest today of Marlena Pavlos-Hackney, the owner of Marlena’s Bistro and Pizzeria in Holland for "willfully violating the state’s food laws, public health orders and a court-ordered temporary restraining order."
What does that mean? Basically, a Michigan restaurant owner is behind bars for violating the state's coronavirus restrictions in a first-of-its-kind moment.
Pavlos-Hackney, 55, Holland, was taken into custody by the Michigan State Police at 5:45 a.m. Friday on an outstanding Ingham County Civil Warrant for Contempt of Court, for failing to comply in a civil case filed by the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD v. Zante Inc.,dba Marlena’s Bistro and Pizzeria). She was arrested, without incident, following a traffic stop on Lakewood Blvd and 160th in Ottawa County.
MDARD suspended Marlena’s food establishment license on January 20, 2021.
The restaurant has been operating without a license since then – in violation of the Michigan Food Law. An administrative hearing was held on February 1 to determine if the suspension was proper and on February 11 the Administrative Law Judge issued a decision and an order continuing the summary suspension of Marlena’s food license.
“This owner has continued to willfully violate the state’s food laws, public health orders and the order of the court – a dangerous act that may have exposed dozens of diners and employees to the virus following the discovery that one of Marlena’s customers tested positive for the virus within two days of eating there,” said Nessel “MDARD is particularly concerned because the potential exposure happened at a restaurant that refuses to comply with basic COVID-19 measures required by the Michigan Department of Health & Human Services.”
The Allegan County Health Department issued a news release notifying the public about their potential exposure to COVID-19.
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Pavlos-Hackney was advised by MSP via phone on March 11 that a warrant had been issued for her arrest and she was advised to turn herself in by March 18; she failed to do so.
Pavlos-Hackney was observed driving and a traffic stop was initiated , at which time she was positively identified and arrested without incident. She was transported and is now lodged at the Ingham County Jail while awaiting court proceedings.