Tuck Box restaurant open despite being charged by county District Attorney

(KION) Carmel-by-the-sea, Calif. -

Things looked pretty odd again today around Carmel-by-the-sea, despite being in a pandemic. Most businesses are following the shelter-in-place guidelines, but Jeffrey LeTowt opened up the Tuck Box restaurant again today serving people without masks. This comes just one day after the Monterey County District Attorney's office filed three charges against him.

"I closed down for a month and a half and lost about $60,000 in revenue," says LeTowt.

Jeffrey LeTowt, the owner of the Tuck Box in Carmel-by-the-sea, is defending his decision to keep his restaurant open. .

"When the governor decided to extend the stay at home I'm going this is no longer sound medical practices this is all politics and I'm not playing," says LeTowt.

The Tuck Box resumed normal operations despite the county district attorney's office filing criminal charges yesterday against LeTowt. There were plenty of customers today too. Many we saw were not wearing masks, and that's just one of the problems. According to the DA, LeTowt violated the shelter-in place order by serving people at the restaurant, not wearing a masks when they do so, and not maintaining social distancing guidelines.

"It's an interesting time right now. lots of restaurants out of business or shuttered and everyone's getting a little frustrated I guess," says Carmel-by-the-sea Mayor Dave Potter.

Frustrated or just tired of the loss of business during the pandemic.

"They're violating my constitutional rights. I've had it, so have all of my customers," says LeTowt.

Locals are split over LeTowt's decision to flout the rules.

"He is not abiding with the restrictions and I have no problem with it being open at all," says carmel-by-the-sea resident Laura Ansley.

"I think it's pretty irresponsible but i hope it works out for them," say another local resident.

The Mayor of Carmel-by-the-sea telling KION this is out of the city's hands at this point.

"The DA is involved now and it's in their court." says Potter.

The DA's office tells KION this matter is still being investigated and they are evaluating different enforcement actions. The DA's office has already brought forward criminal charges against the restaurant's owner. Each count carries a thousand dollar fine and or 6 months in jail at the discretion of the judge.

LeTowt is expected in court for his arraignment hearing July 14th.