Darlene Palley has owned CKO Kick Boxing in Franklin for many years. Back in March Covid-19 restrictions from Governor Murphy forced her to close her business. CKO Kick Boxing is considered a gym. Pallay is challenging Governor Murphy's Executive orders that have made it difficult for her and thousands of other private business owners to pay their rent and stay above water. On September 1st CKO Kick Boxing and other gyms were finally allowed to open at 25 percent capacity. On September 30th Morris Sussex Assignment Judge Stuart Minkowitz refused to hear the case. He ruled Pallay's lawsuit belongs in the Appellate Division and should be refiled there. Pallay's attorney Robert Ferguson told the New Jersey Herald the Attorney General's Office "prefers" having the case heard by the Appeals Court because the courtroom is in the same building as the Attorney General's Office. Ferguson is asking Judge Minkowitz to reconsider his earlier ruling. The Attorney General's Office filed a 15 page brief yesterday arguing the case belongs in the Appellate Court.
Source: New Jersey Herald