Lockdown Convicted Gym Owner Pardoned by Gov. Ron DeSantis

Governor Ron DeSantis expanded upon action taken in May to protect Floridians from local government overreach related to COVID-19 restrictions by proposing a statewide, categorical grant of full pardons of both civil and criminal penalties to individuals or businesses punished for breaking unscientific, unnecessary directives. Former gym owners Mike and Jillian Carnevale are examples of Floridians who have faced criminal penalties, including possible jail time, for not complying with local mask mandates at their business in Broward County.
“Floridians – like Mike and Jillian Carnevale – should have never faced criminal charges for not requiring masks in their businesses,” said Governor Ron DeSantis. “Today, we took action in Florida to reject the overreach of local authorities through unnecessary and unscientific mask mandates. No business should face economic ruin and be punished for alleged violations of local orders that are unreasonably restrictive of rights and liberties.”

“Florida has created a blueprint and will continue to blaze the path for other states and countries to follow,” said Mike Carnevale. “Governor Ron DeSantis’s data driven leadership has kept Florida’s economy open while saving lives, which we now know to be directly linked through experience. I am overwhelmed with gratitude of the pardoning of these allegations, and I am excited for the future of Florida.”