HOLLAND, MI (WHTC-AM/FM) – Allegan-based attorney Robert Baker made a virtual court appearance Tuesday for Holland restaurant owner Marlena Pavlos-Hackney. (Listen to the complete audio)
Baker indicated he needed more time to validate what he said were 49 errors in the court transcript. Ingham County 30th Circuit Court Judge Wanda Stokes said the court identified three errors, but rescheduled the hearing for 10:00 a.m. May 12 and asked Baker if that allowed enough time. He agreed.
Baker is petitioning the court to return some or all of the $15,000 fine Pavlos-Hackney paid after being jailed on two contempt of court charges.
Her legal troubles started late last year, when she refused to follow COVID-19 restrictions at her Holland restaurant, Marlena’s Bistro & Pizzeria, so state officials suspended the operation license in January.
Pavlos-Hackney continued operations without enforcing mask or social distancing rules until she was briefly jailed last month. Her restaurant remains closed.
A GoFundMe account set up to help her has raised more than $318,000 of a $350,000 goal.
(reporting from Peg McNichol)
