Marlena Pavlos-Hackney, 55, the owner of Marlena’s Bistro and Pizzeria in the Netherlands, was arrested without incident on Friday after a traffic stop in Ottawa County, according to a release from Attorney General Dana Nessel in Michigan.
The Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development suspended its food establishment permit on January 20, 2021, but the restaurant also continued to function, according to the publication.
An administrative judge upheld the suspension in February, saying that Pavlos-Hackney “has knowingly failed to meet the requirements of both the local and state health departments set out to prevent the spread of COVID-19 to employees, customers and the community. appearance.”
The Allegan County Health Department sent a message to the public on Friday informing them of their possible exposure to Covid-19 at the restaurant, Attorney General Nessel said.
“This owner has continued to deliberately violate state food laws, public health orders and court order – a dangerous act that may have exposed dozens of diners and workers to the virus after discovering that one of Marlena- customers tested positive. the virus within two days of eating there, “said Nessel.
CNN has reached out to Pavlos-Hackney’s attorney for comment, but has heard nothing.
According to Nessel’s press release, Michigan State Police informed Pavlos-Hackney on March 11 that an arrest warrant had been issued against her. She was advised to turn herself in on March 18, but did not.
Following her arrest Friday morning by Michigan State Police, Pavlos-Hackney was transported to Ingham County Jail, where she will be held pending legal proceedings, the release said.