Local
Crazy Bernie Reaches Settlement with City Over COVID Shutdown Citations
“Crazy Bernie” has settled with the city of Fresno for operating his business when it was supposed to be shut down.
Bernie Siomiak, CEO of the furniture warehouse best known for its outrageous TV advertisements, fought vociferously with the city over orders to close his store as part of the COVID-19 inspired emergency orders.
He publicly criticized the city’s decision to shut him down, even though he planned to cease operations anyway. He questioned why his business was considered non-essential, when other stores were allowed to operate.
Store Owner Frustrated with City
As part of the settlement, Siomiak will pay only a $1,000 fine, initially issued on April 23, 2020. A $5,000 fine issued on April 29, 2020 will be waived. Each side will be responsible for their own attorney fees.
Although his storefront remains on Shaw and Brawley avenues, it is closed.
“Crazy Bernie” Siomiak (right) poses for a picture at a pro-business rally in May 2020 at Fresno City Hall (GV Wire/David Taub)
Settlement Before Appeal Hearing
When stay-at-home orders were issued by the city last March, only essential businesses were allowed to remain open.
Siomiak defied the city’s emergency order and received a “notice to comply” on March 31. Even though his indoor operations were closed, Crazy Bernie’s remained as an online store with curbside delivery. The city said that was not allowed.
After code enforcement officers observed the store continuing with curb-side pickup, they issued a citation carrying a $1,000 fine. Another violation was observed on April 29, with a $5,000 fine.
The store appealed those fines on May 5.
Normally, appeal hearings are conducted by an independent administrative officer through the city. Because of the COVID-19 pandemic, in-person hearings stopped.
Hearings did not resume until December using remote video or audio technology. Before Crazy Bernie’s case could be heard, the store and city settled on Dec. 21.
One of the 16 points of settlement was for the business to fully comply with local and state emergency orders.
Karbassi Approves
District 2 City Councilman Mike Karbassi, who represents the area where the Crazy Bernie store is located, endorsed the settlement.
“It’s not a slam dunk I wanted for small businesses. But it’s a step in the right direction and makes it clear that the council is more interested in compliance than punitive damages,” Karbassi said.
Karbassi said he looks forward to more relaxed city and state policies to allow for more businesses to reopen.
“To keep burdening people, it’s not only going to hurt us today, it’s going to hurt us tomorrow because we won’t have any more funding for our parks and our police and our streets,” Karbassi said.
