Governor Tom Wolf is taking issue with counties and businesses in the state that are reopening, despite not having authorization to do so.
Wolf spoke at a press conference earlier this afternoon.
“To business owners; these politicians put you at risk of losing your health department certificate, your liquor license, or your certificate of occupancy,” Wolf said. “All these depend on you doing what you can to keep you patrons safe.”
Wolf also said there will be ramifications for counties that don’t follow the law.
“To those politicians that decide to cave-in to this coronavirus; they need understand the consequences of their cowardly acts” Wolf said. “The funding we have put aside to help with fighting this crisis will go to the folks who are doing their part. However, other discretionary funding won’t go to counties that put us all at risk by operating illegally.”
On the heels of Governor Wolf’s statement Monday morning, Butler County District Attorney Rich Goldinger says his office will not be prosecuting businesses that reopen to the public.
“This is not a statement to say ‘you’re welcome to open’ and I urge businesses to follow the Governor’s order and if you are able to open to use social distancing and follow the necessary precautions,” Goldinger said. “But anybody that may be in violation, will not be prosecuted by this office or by the police in Butler County.”
Goldinger says even though his office will not prosecute businesses that reopen, the state could possibly revoke licenses.
“That’s the big concern. I have no control over that,” Goldinger said. “For instance, if a bar wants to open, the state can suspend their liquor license if they want to. And that has nothing to do with what I might do as the D.A.”
Goldinger also said he believed the Governor was referring to counties in the eastern side of the state that are threatening to reopen early.
Butler County is moving to the yellow phase of the reopening plan this Friday.
