![A closed sign on a Columbus area business a few weeks after all businesses deemed non-essential were shut down. [Karen Kasler]](https://npr.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/3790300/2147483647/strip/true/crop/2048x1536+0+0/resize/840x630!/format/webp/quality/90/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2Flegacy%2Fimages%2Fnews%2Fnpr%2F2020%2F09%2F908487644_696935222.jpg)
A lawsuit has been filed in federal court asking for the removal of the state of emergency declared in March that led to restrictions imposed on the state’s businesses to prevent coronavirus spread.
Robert Gargasz, a Lorain County attorney who has sued in state court on behalf of dance studios and entertainment venues, represents nine plaintiffs in the federal lawsuit naming Gov. Mike DeWine and interim state health director Lance Himes as defendants. Gargasz claims there’s no emergency and that the state has something to hide.
“We need to be protected against this tyranny," he said.
Gargasz also said DeWine and former Ohio Health Director Dr. Amy Action intentionally misled and terrified the public, causing businesses to lose a trillion dollars in economic activity.
“Ohio’s citizens, Ohio’s businesses have all been damaged. And we had to go to court in order to try to get this stopped. I mean that lawsuit is meant to restore liberty and freedom for Ohioans," Gargasz said.
The lawsuit claims the shutdowns and restrictions are unconstitutional.
DeWine said he’s been sued in state courts over mandated business closures and restrictions put on businesses intended to limit the spread of COVID-19. The governor said he was not surprised to be sued in federal court, as well.
“I don’t have any comment about it. We know we are doing what we know will make a difference. We know that this economy cannot move forward, that people cannot have jobs unless we keep the virus down," DeWine said.
Copyright 2020 The Statehouse News Bureau. To see more, visit The Statehouse News Bureau.
