Controversial NJ Gym Owners Launch Effort To Recall Gov. Murphy

BELLMAWR, NJ — The owners of a South Jersey gym that gained notoriety for its constant defiance of Gov. Phil Murphy’s executive stay-at-home order are now looking to have the governor removed from office.

Ian Smith and Frank Trumbetti, owners of the Atilis Gym in Bellmawr, have launched a campaign to have Murphy recalled. In a video posted on his Instagram page, Smith said the papers were being filed “on behalf of the people of New Jersey for his (Murphy’s) gross violations of our Constitutional rights” and “the decimation of small businesses and the local economy.”

“Governor Murphy has trampled on our civil liberties while ignoring his own orders, decimated small businesses with arbitrary lockdowns, is personally responsible for the decision to put infected patients into senior homes resulting in the deaths of over 7,000 seniors, and has shown himself unable to work with the public for a sensible solution to these issues,” they said in their post. “We will be collecting the 1.2 million signatures to make the recall official. Every measure must be taken, in every town, city, and state where public servants have gotten out of control.”

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In New Jersey, a group of at least three registered voters is needed to launch a recall inquiry. After notifying the governor's office of their intent, they must then collect the signatures of at least 25 percent of registered voters based on the last election within 320 days. The signatures are then submitted to the governor's office for approval, and a recall election is scheduled.

Smith and Trumbetti have been in the news since Atilis Gym was closed as part of a statewide executive order closing non-essential businesses in March to help stem the spread of the coronavirus.

They repeatedly reopened their gym, filed a lawsuit against the state, were arrested and had their license rescinded by the Borough of Bellmawr. It was recently reported that they have been fined a total of $124,000 for remaining open amid the pandemic.

They entered the political arena in August when they joined Republican Rik Mehta’s failed campaign as he attempted to unseat Democrat Cory Booker in the U.S. Senate. Read more here: Controversial NJ Gym Becomes Rally Site For Booker Opponent

Gyms were among indoor activities that reopened amid the pandemic in August. As the coronavirus began to spike again, indoor gatherings have been limited to 10 people or fewer. Murphy has said he would try to avoid another statewide shutdown, but “all options are on the table.”