California’s Orange County Approves $1.7 Million Settlement Over COVID-19 Restaurant Closures

The Orange County Board of Supervisors unanimously approved a $1.7 million settlement this week to resolve two class-action lawsuits brought by restaurant owners looking to recoup fees paid to the state and county during the COVID-19 pandemic despite government-mandated closures and reduction in services.

In January 2021, Pizzeria Ortica, which has since gone out of business, filed a class action complaint against the county, the Orange County Health Care Agency, and the California Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC). In June 2021, an almost identical complaint was filed by Darya Restaurant against the county and ABC.

The complaints alleged businesses continued to pay their health permit fees and license fees despite being closed, or having extremely limited service, during the pandemic.

Read the source article at ocregister.com