Pub Owner's Attorney Says Gov. Lamont Is 'Playing God'

HARTFORD, CT—The Connecticut Supreme Court heard a challenge Friday to one Gov. Ned Lamont’s pandemic-related orders brought by the owner of a shuttered Milford pub, whose lawyer argued that Lamont was “playing God” with emergency authority.

The case, brought by the owner of Casey’s Irish Pub in Milford, is the first major test of the emergency power which Lamont has used to issue public health and civil preparedness orders during the coronavirus pandemic. The governor ordered bars and nightclubs closed in March to slow the spread of the COVID-19 virus and they have remained closed since.

During arguments Friday, attorney Jonathan Klein told justices that Lamont’s orders were not constitutional and were based on statutes that left little room for legislative checks and balances.

“One of the failings of this statute is it doesn’t allow the legislature to override the governor, even challenge the governor. The governor can do whatever he wants—whatever he thinks is best. The governor is essentially playing God under this statute,” he said.

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