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On January 14, Ian Smith, the co-owner of the Atilis Gym in New Jersey appeared on Fox News with the news anchor, Tucker Carlson, and discussed his battle with the state of New Jerseyâs coronavirus lockdown orders. Smith and his business partner have defied the stateâs lockdown orders and remained open for months. The Bellmawr establishment has been fined $15k per day, as the company does not adhere to enforcing Covid-19 protocols. On Wednesday evening the state of New Jersey allegedly took action and seized $173,613 from the gym ownerâs bank account.
Atilis Gym Owner Claims the State of New Jersey Seized $173K from His Bank Account
The co-owner of the Bellmawr, New Jersey (NJ) establishment Atilis Gym is extremely upset because he says his legal funds were confiscated by the state on Wednesday. Ian Smith and his business partner, Frank Trumbetti, own and operate the gym. Since the start of the coronavirus outbreak, the establishment has refused to follow Covid-19 protocols enforced by the state.
The co-owners of the Bellmawr, New Jersey (NJ) establishment Atilis Gym, Ian Smith (left) and Frank Trumbetti (right).
For instance, Atilis Gym does not require gym patrons to wear masks inside while working out. After refusing to follow the lockdown protocols assigned by NJ Governor Philip Murphy and the State Health Commissioner, Judith Persichilli, Atilis Gym has been fined $15k per day for remaining open in this manner.
In July, NJ law enforcement officials barricaded the Atilis Gym entrance and arrested Smith and Trumbetti for defying court orders. A week later, Smith and Trumbetti filmed themselves breaking down the barricades the state leveraged to block the Atilis Gymâs doors. Smith and his partner stress that there have been zero cases of Covid-19 traced back to the gym.
FREE MEN WILL NOT BE SILENCED.FREE MEN WILL NOT BE INTIMIDATED. FREE MEN WILL NOT BE OPPRESSED.
â Ian Smith (@iansmithfitness) January 9, 2021
After the $15k daily fines started to add up, the levy against the NJ establishment has climbed well over a million U.S. dollars to-date. This week, Smith tweeted that the state had upped the enforcement on Wednesday by seizing $173,613 from the gym ownerâs bank account.
Smith said:
Moments ago Governor Murphy and his cronies seized 100% of the Atilis Gym legal defense money ($173,613.60) in the middle of our appeals process â effectively and intentionally interfering with our right to counsel. If you think thatâs gonna make us stand down, youâre delusional.
Cryptocurrencies Are One of Most Frequent Recommendations, Says New Jersey Gym Owner
Following the tweet, a few people recommended that the Atilis Gym owner accept cryptocurrencies like bitcoin. Smith also appeared on Fox News after the funds were seized, and he discussed the incident with the news anchor Tucker Carlson.
âThis is in the middle of an appeals process and ongoing litigation in the matter of the fines and several other matters regarding the state, including a lawsuit against Governor Murphy and [the State Health Commissioner] Judith Persichilli,â Smith explained to Carlson. During the episode, Tucker Carlson also mentioned the subject of cryptocurrencies.
âHow long do you think theyâll allow cryptocurrencies to exist,â Carlson asked the Atilis Gym owner chuckling to himself. Continuing to laugh, Carlson further said âSorry, itâs just a thought as they canât seize it from youâŠâ Smith replied to Carlsonâs cryptocurrency comment and said: âNo, they canât [seize crypto].â
The Atilis Gym owner further added:
Thatâs actually one of the frequent recommendations for people who want to continue to donate is to set up a cryptocurrency account.
Itâs uncertain whether or not Ian Smith and Frank Trumbetti will set up a cryptocurrency account in order to accept censorship-resistant donations. Whether the Atilis Gym owners do decide to accept crypto or not, the story still highlights the benefits of crypto assets like bitcoin that cannot be seized in such a manner. This is likely why digital currencies are one of the most frequent recommendations given to the New Jersey gym owners. Despite Smithâs most recent claims on Twitter and Fox News, the NJ Attorney Generalâs office disputes the money seizure.
âThis information is not accurate,â an NJAG spokesperson told the news anchor Carlson. âThe State has not seized [its] bank account funds. However, the State has obtained judgments against the owners, and intends to collect on them. Whether that affects the entire balance of the gymâs funds is a question to ask the bank,â the NJAG spokesperson added.
What do you think about the Atilis Gym ownerâs problems with the state? Do you think they should accept cryptocurrencies like bitcoin? Let us know in the comments section below.
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