MICHIGAN — Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel has suspended the professional and barber licenses of Karl Manke, a 77-year-old Owosso barber who reopened his barbershop in violation of an executive order closing all non-essential businesses.
Nessel’s office issued an administrative licensing complaint on Tuesday, alleging several violations of the Michigan Occupational Code and administrative rules, including gross negligence and willful violations of the health and safety rules of a political subdivision.
“Mr. Manke’s actions in violating Gov. Whitmer’s executive orders as well as other health orders put the public at risk for contracting COVID-19,” Nessel said. “Anytime you have a barber or other professional providing services to numerous citizens in close proximity to each other and those citizens are then returning to their various residences, there is a risk of contracting and spreading the virus. It is paramount that we take action to protect the public and do our part to help save lives.”
Related: MI Barber Stays Open Amid Pandemic: Who Enforces Stay-Home Order?
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The actions follow Manke’s statements that he will continue to operate his barbershop despite Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s executive orders requiring closure of facilities offering non-essential personal care services. Local police recently cited Manke for violations of such orders.
Michigan Department of Health and Human Services Director Robert Gordon issued an Imminent Danger and Abatement Order, requiring Manke to close his barbershop. He did not comply with that health order either, Nessel’s office said.
The Occupational Code allows LARA to summarily suspend a professional license if there is an imminent threat to the public health, safety and welfare. An order of summary suspension is a temporary measure to protect the public and not a final determination that a licensee has violated the Occupational Code.