Marlena Pavlos-Hackney, 55, owner of Marlena’s Bistro and Pizzeria in the Netherlands, was arrested without incident after a traffic stop in Ottawa County on Friday, according to a statement from Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel.
The Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development suspended its food establishment license on January 20, 2021, but the restaurant continued to function, according to the statement.
An administrative law judge maintained the suspension in February, saying that Pavlos-Hackney “knowingly did not meet the requirements of the state and local health department that were established to prevent the spread of COVID-19 to employees, customers and the community.”
The Allegan County Health Department issued a notice to the public on Friday, reporting its possible exposure to Covid-19 at the restaurant, Attorney General Nessel said.
“This owner continued to intentionally violate state food laws, public health orders and the court order – a dangerous act that may have exposed dozens of customers and employees to the virus after the discovery that one of Marlena’s customers tested positive for the virus within two days after eating there, “said Nessel.
CNN contacted Pavlos-Hackney’s lawyer for comment, but received no response.
According to the Nessel press release, the Michigan State Police informed Pavlos-Hackney on March 11 that an arrest warrant had been issued. She was advised to surrender by March 18, but did not do so.
After her arrest on Friday morning by the Michigan State Police, Pavlos-Hackney was transported to Ingham County Jail, where she will be detained pending the court case, according to the statement.