Owner Charged with Opening Bar During COVID-19 Lockdown

The owner of a South Pasadena bar has been charged with opening his pub for St. Patrick’s Day during the lockdown order aimed at reducing the spread of COVID-19, the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office announced today..

Joseph Patrick Griffin (dob 8/16/63) of Lake View Terrace faces one misdemeanor count of violation of the Los Angeles County’s health officer order.

Arraignment is scheduled today in Department 2 of the Los Angeles County Superior Court, Alhambra Area Office. Case 0AM01897 was filed on June 10.

On March 17, during the order mandating the closing of bars that did not serve food and other non- essential businesses, the bar allegedly opened its doors, served customers and offered live entertainment, prosecutors said.

If convicted as charged, Griffin faces a possible maximum sentence of 90 days in jail or $1,000 fine. Deputy District Attorney Vanessa Zuniga is the assigned prosecutor.

The case remains under investigation by the South Pasadena Police Department. About the Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office

Los Angeles County District Attorney Jackie Lacey leads the largest local prosecutorial office in the nation. Her staff of nearly 1,000 attorneys, 300 investigators and 800 support staff members is dedicated to protecting our community through the fair and ethical pursuit of justice and the safeguarding of crime victims' rights.