Murphy Dining Indoors In Berkeley? Fake News, Restaurant Says

BERKELEY, NJ — Did Governor Phil Murphy eat indoors at a Bayville restuarant? No, says the manager of Martell's Waters Edge, who claims that simple pictures of the restaurant dispute the rumor.

The governor and First Lady Tammy Murphy ate Saturday at the Berkeley restaurant. They even filmed a video there telling everyone to act responsibly and practice social distancing.

Photos across social media show Murphy in a roofed area with televisions hanging on the walls. But that's just the restaurant's outdoor tiki bar, says manager Rich Sorge.

"We have a bar overhang," Sorge told Patch. "It has a roof on it. In the photo that they used for their ‘proof,’ it just shows the ceiling with ceiling fans and TVs, which gave them the impression to be able to lie and say it was inside."

Murphy only entered the when his security detail escorted him out to get to his van outside, Sorge said.

The governor responded to the rumors Monday at his press conference.

"Not only did I eat outside with my wife, daughter and her friend on Saturday night," Murphy said, "we sat in the driving rain and I’ve ruined everything in my pockets, including my wallet that I’ve cherished holding on to for many years." Murphy held up a new wallet he bought to replace the rain-soaked one.

As rumors circulated, State Senator Declan O'Scanlon tweeted Monday, "Wow. The hypocrisy is astounding!" He referenced a tweet that has since been deleted.

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O'Scanlon spoke to the governor's office and addressed the situation later that day on Twitter:

"So I heard from the Governor’s office. Told that he - and those other patrons - were dining outside and only took shelter inside during a downpour. If that’s true then fair enough. Maybe some other patrons can shed light."

Murphy originally planned to begin allowing outdoor dining Thursday at 25 percent capacity. But the governor announced Monday he would delay outdoor dining until further notice because of spikes around the nation associated with indoor restaurants and bars. Read more: Gov. Murphy Postpones NJ Indoor Dining Reopen Amid Coronavirus

The governor's reversal on indoor dining has sparked outrage and criticism from many restaurant owners around New Jersey.

Related articles:

• Middletown Restaurants React To Murphy's Indoor Dining Reversal
• Ocean City Boardwalk Assoc. Decries Gov. Murphy's Dining Reversal

But at the very least, Murphy wasn't breaking his own rules at Martell's Waters Edge, Sorge says. He did get some heckles from outside though.

"You’re going to get that. That’s part of the job," Sorge said. "But then those same people go and write, ‘Oh, he’s inside,’ which is a flat-out lie."

Read more: NJ Coronavirus, Reopen Updates: Here's What You Need To Know

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