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On Wednesday, the 4th Appellate Court of California announced it was continuing the stay issued last week. We have considered the request for a stay, the opposition, the amicus curiae brief, and the limited record before us, court papers released Wednesday stated. We conclude the stay should continue in place until this court can address the important legal and constitutional issues raised by the parties regarding the injunction. County Supervisor Nathan Fletcher addressed the public before a closed session meeting with county leaders to mull a judge s surprise temporary injunction that allowed for restaurants to reopen.
By Craig Bannister | December 17, 2020 | 12:13pm EST
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A San Diego, California judge’s ruling has exempted local two strip clubs and “San Diego County businesses with restaurant services,” from Gov. Gavin Newsom’s health order prohibiting indoor dining, outdoor dining and some social gatherings.
On Wednesday, San Diego Superior Court Judge Joel Wohlfeil ruled in favor of Cheetahs Gentlemen’s Club and Pacers International Showgirls, issuing an injunction on the state’s cease-and-desist order claiming the two strip joints were violating Newsom’s new order.
Because Judge Wohlfeil’s ruling says it applies to businesses providing “restaurant services” – which both strip clubs provide – it has allowed thousands of San Diego dining establishments to open their doors despite Newsom’s prohibition order, KTLA reports:
“A single trial court judge has unilaterally thwarted public efforts to avert that looming catastrophe, by issuing an injunction that allows all restaurants in San Diego County to reopen without any restriction, contrary to the orders and judgment of the State’s top health officials,” the state argues.
The appellate court’s stay did not offer an explanation, but required the opposition to respond by this coming Wednesday.
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Jason Saccuzzo, a lawyer for Pacers, told the Associated Press that the clubs will ask the court to reconsider the stay. He said they would keep fighting the “illogical and unconstitutional orders.”
On Wednesday, San Diego Superior Judge Joel Wohlfeil issued an injunction exempting the two strip clubs from shutdowns, but surprised many, including the San Diego County Board of Supervisors, by extending the ruling to All businesses that provide restaurant services.
The county said it would temporarily suspend pandemic-related public health order enforcement at restaurants and live entertainment businesses while it determined its next steps. Two supervisors went on record saying they were blindsided by Judge Wohlfeil s inclusion of restaurants in his order. County Supervisor Nathan Fletcher addressed the public before a closed session meeting with county leaders to mull a judge s surprise temporary injunction that allowed for restaurants to reopen.