Danbury Bar Owner Charged With Violating Coronavirus Restrictions

DANBURY, CT — The owner of an Ives Street restaurant is facing her third public health emergency order violation for flouting state coronavirus restrictions.

Erika Fajardo-Sumba, 35, the owner of La Costeñita Bar & Restaurant, was arrested Friday on a warrant stemming from a June 30 licensed business inspection, the News-Times is reporting.

The arrest came after an inspection following up on arrests made over the summer for violations of Gov. Ned Lamont's Executive Order detailing restrictions on outdoor dining during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Violations cited for Fajardo-Sumba's second arrest made July 4 include tables that were not positioned six feet apart, employees not wearing masks, and patrons ordering drinks at bars that did not have partitions.

Restaurateurs violating a public health emergency may be penalized up to $1,000 in fines, one year of imprisonment, or both, for each offense.