Mar-a-Lago warned of COVID-19 fines

Trump’s resort may face penalty for maskless party

Palm Beach County officials issued a stern warning to President Donald Trump’s Mar-a Lago resort in Palm Beach about potential fines for violating COVID-19 regulations after a video circulated on social media showed maskless partiers at a New Year’s Eve celebration.

A letter written Tuesday to Bernd Lembcke, the executive vice president and managing director of Mar-a-Lago, said there was a breakdown in the venue enforcing mask wearing among its guests, leading to an “almost entire room of guests being without masks during the later evening activities,” despite the venue handing out masks to party goers.

Another warning could land the club — where Trump is expected to live at least temporarily after he leaves the White House — a $15,000 fine.

“We recount that you provided masks for all party goers who attended, and that you provided additional masks for those that walked from the reception area to the main dining ballroom. Although you provided these important steps, it seemed based on video evidence, there was a break down in enforcement of the mask orders,” administrators aid.

Under an emergency order from the county, face coverings are required at Palm Beach County businesses unless guests are eating and drinking.

Video quickly circulated on social media showing the mainly maskless crowd celebrating as the state continued to fight rising coronavirus cases and urged against large gatherings. The president’s son, Donald Trump Jr., and his girlfriend, Kimberly Guilfoyle, could be seen on video without masks. Dozens of party-goers danced with no masks on as rapper Vanilla Ice performed. President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania were not at the party.

Future violations the county’s’ emergency order could come with a fine of $15,000 per violation, according to a letter from county code enforcement. “Failure to adhere to facial covering and social distancing requirements constitutes an irreparable/ irreversible violation that imperils or threatens to imperil the life, safety and welfare of others and cannot be undone.”

WPTV in West Palm Beach first reported on the letter.

Dem. State Rep Omari Hardy previously urged the county’s assistant administrator to shut down Mar-a-Lago and fine them after the party, citing concerns that the party could turn in to a super spreader event to residents of Palm Beach County,

“Mar-a-Lago is a club. A club is a business. Businesses must comply with Palm Beach County’s mask order,” Hardy wrote.