Ron Beattie, proprietor of Risky Business on Washington Street, was charged April 9 with violating an emergency powers order by Gov. Tim Walz to close all nonessential businesses in an effort to slow the spread of the coronavirus.
“Mr. Beattie has been charged,” stated an email by Brainerd city prosecutor Kurt Porter of Severson Porter Law in Brainerd. “Our office has had a positive dialog with the ownership and continues to coordinate with local law enforcement as we all navigate these unusual times. Beyond that, our office cannot comment any further on this ongoing matter.”
Nonessential businesses have been under a closure order from Walz since March 17. That closure order has since been extended through May 4. Risky Business has continued to operate well into April.
Risky Business is an outlet for adult lingerie, toys and accessories. Beattie has previously argued his business should be considered essential on the grounds it sells some edible food products and sexual health products.
The Star Tribune originally reported Risky Business was among 12 businesses cited for violating the closure statewide. The Star Tribune article also included statements by the Minnesota office of the American Civil Liberties Union, which has criticized these citations as an infringement on people’s rights and noted they should only be used as a last resort measure during the pandemic.
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