By ZEINAB NAJM
Times-Herald Newspapers
DEARBORN — A GoFundMe fundraiser was started on the behalf of Dountville USA for donations to help cover the legal fees after being fined with a misdemeanor citation for violating Michigan’s in-person dining ban set due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
As of Nov. 25, $4,948 was raised, surpassing the $3,000 goal set.
The description of the fundraiser says the shop owners have hired attorney David Kallman and that legal fees could reach $10,000.
Also, the page says that the citation came after a customer was allowed to sit down while waiting for their spouse to use the restroom.
According to the Detroit Free Press, co-owners Mark and Gail Porada addressed the citation on Facebook.
“In my 35 years of working in this business I never dreamt that I would be criminalized for serving customers a cup of coffee and a donut in America,” Mark Porada said.
“You know things are out of control when the police start ticketing doughnut shops,” Gail Porada said.
Police gave the citation on Nov. 19. Police Chief Ron Haddad said the department’s intent is to keep the community healthy and safe.
“The surge of the coronavirus is the highest it’s been both in the state of Michigan and our community, and compliance with the CDC and state health department recommendations are essential for everyone’s well-being,” he said.
A court date has not yet been set to address the citation.
(Zeinab Najm can be reached at [email protected])