An Albert Lea Coffee Shop had been issued a default judgement in a Civil Case filed by the Minnesota Attorney General’s Office.
The Interchange Wine and Coffee Bistro, owned by Lisa Hanson, and her company MLH Enterprises LLC, was ordered to pay $18,000 in civil penalties to the state, along with reasonable attorney’s fees and investigation and litigation costs.
The judgement comes after allegations that Hansen opened her business in December and January in violation of State Executive Orders banning in person dining to slow the spread of COVID-19.
Hanson has also been charged with nine misdemeanor criminal charges related to the case, including Violating Emergency Powers or Rule, as well as a Public Nuisance charge.
Hanson is scheduled to undergo a pretrial hearing on the charges on November 24th, with a jury trial scheduled to take place on December 6th.