Gym Owner Who Defied NJ COVID Rules Threatens Lawsuit Against Political Rival

BELLMAWR, NJ — A South Jersey gym owner is threatening legal action against a political opponent who he claims made false statements about his past legal charges, reports say.

Ian Smith's campaign delivered a cease and desist letter to Republican opponent Bob Healey Jr. over the weekend, Insider NJ reported. Both men are candidates for the Republican nomination for Congress in New Jersey's 3rd District, currently represented by Democrat Andy Kim (Moorestown).

Smith is threatening legal action against Healey, reports said, because Healey's campaign told a radio station Smith had been found in possession of hypodermic needles during a 2007 arrest.

"My primary opponent put out a press release about me containing some outright lies," Smith said on Twitter Monday. "I’ll be waiting for you to issue a retraction and apology before you get slapped with a lawsuit. Let’s not play politics as usual Bob."

A lawyer representing Smith claimed Healey was defaming him, according to the New Jersey Globe.

Healey's campaign manager hit back Monday, Insider NJ said, citing New Jersey court records of a 2007 fatal crash Smith was cited in which mentioned possession of a hypodermic needle. That charge was disposed of in Superior Court, as Insider NJ reported.

Smith has been vocal in the past about the crash, which happened when he was 20. Related: Owner Of NJ Gym That Defied Murphy Opens Up About Drunk Driving

In 2008, Smith was sentenced to more than five years in prison for causing a crash that killed a Galloway teenager, according to NJ.com. He ran a stop sign and killed 19-year-old Kevin Ade.

"My actions caused the death of a young man and broke the hearts of an entire community, and that's something that they'll never fully recover from," Smith said in 2020. "There's nothing that I can do other than try to live a good life and give back and try to promote as much love and positivity in the world as I can."

Smith, who co-owns Atilis Gym, also made headlines in 2020 when he and co-owner Frank Trumbetti defied Gov. Phil Murphy's stay-at-home order and opened their gym. Related: NJ Gym Reportedly Opens For Third Straight Day Despite Murphy Warnings