Ronald Michael Barrera, who owns the Westend Bar, faces one count of trespassing and failing to obey a lawful order and regulation, according to the Orange County District Attorney’s Office.
The charges were filed after ‘repeated attempts’ by law enforcement and city code maintenance officers to teach him about the law and seek voluntary compliance, officials added. The 47-year-old Costa Mesa resident and bar owner has on several occasions allegedly refused to comply with an order ordering all non-essential matters to close between 10pm and 5am.
Police, city code officers and agents of the California Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC) have responded to the counter more than once since an emergency shutdown order was issued on Nov. 19.
Prosecutors say the businesses continued ‘several times’ outside the proposed closing times and sometimes offered 50 to 70 customers without forcing physical distance or face covering for employees or customers.
“It is unacceptable for a business to repeatedly flaunt the regulations and continue to operate without first introducing mitigation measures aimed at saving lives. It is not just a business. It is a business that “was given the opportunity to take corrective action and it did not succeed,” District Attorney Todd Spitzer said in a statement.
In addition, the bar manager, 26-year-old Luisza Giulietta Mauro, is charged with one offense of resisting a police officer. According to the district attorney’s office, Mauro apparently tried on December 12 to physically prevent the officer from entering the business.
“This blatant disregard for local and state health orders is a slap in the face to hard-working business owners who are still trying to do the right thing in this extremely difficult time,” Spitzer added.
Both Barerra and Maura will be tried on June 22, and if convicted, they could each face up to a year in prison.
However, the district attorney’s office said it was hopeful there would be no new offenses and that the case could be resolved through additional training courses by the California Department of Alcohol Control and other educational efforts instead of jail time.
As public health officials express concern about ‘super-distributor’ events that have contributed to the current COVID-19 boom, one business in Santa Ana is also planning to defy coronavirus regulations and host a New Year’s Eve party.
A pamphlet distributed on social media advertises food and music until 2am at Club Azarte.
According to a statement from staff of the province’s environmental health department, no complaints have been lodged against the businesses.
“When complaints are received, the OC Health Care Agency (HCA) provides instruction and guidance regarding compliance with state and local health orders and accompanying guidance,” Marc Meulman told the agency.
Residents in the area, however, say the business has been doing business continuously. One woman who wished to remain unknown said ‘party buses are coming and dropping people off to get in there.’
Brenda Ortega, a local resident, is worried about her mother and her community and says something needs to happen.
“… To find or close them. I understand that, everyone wants to work, but it’s … just very risky. We have to protect ourselves. If we do not protect ourselves, this thing is not going to work. away, ‘she said.
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