Press Release
Advocates for Faith & Freedom
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Thursday, April 13, 2023
CONTACT: nicole velasco @
media@faith-freedom.COM
For Immediate Release 04/13/2023, Murrieta, California – On Wednesday evening, April 12, 2023, Santa Clara County Superior Court Judge Evette D. Pennypacker ordered Calvary Chapel San Jose to pay $1.2 million for violating COVID-19 orders during the pandemic. The church has challenged the constitutionality of the fines and COVID-19 orders in federal court, which is currently on appeal at the Ninth Circuit.
“We believe Judge Pennypacker’s decision to enforce $1.2 million in fines violates the United States Constitution,” says Mariah Gondeiro, Vice President of Advocates for Faith and Freedom. “We have already prevailed twice on appeal in this case, and we believe we will successfully overturn these illegal fines.”
“This case will not likely end until the U.S. Supreme Court rebukes Santa Clara County again,” says Robert Tyler, President of Advocates for Faith and Freedom. “The opinion is very deficient in its analysis and provides for an excellent appeal.”
The church plans to immediately appeal Judge Pennypacker’s decision to the Sixth Appellate District of California.