New Jersey Man Arrested for Hosting Party Attended by Hundreds Without COVID-19 Protocols

A New Jersey man was arrested and charged with "recklessly creating a risk of widespread injury or damage" for hosting a party earlier this month where face coverings weren't worn and social distancing wasn't practiced by most of the hundreds of attendees, BuzzFeed News reports.

Authorities arrived at a rented mansion in Alpine in response to a noise complaint at 10 p.m. on August 1, and dispersed the packed party which drew an estimated 300 to 400 people. Tashay Knight, 45, was given multiple summonses, including a violation of the executive order issued by Gov. Phil Murphy which requires that a host enforces the appropriate coronavirus safety protocols.

"This is absolutely out of hand. I agree with all of that," Knight told NBC New York. "This is not how we do things. It got out of control."

Things getting out of control has become a recurring theme at this particular mansion that hosted an event called BikiniPalooza just last month. "We've witnessed a night club being operated from the backyard of an Alpine house," an unidentified neighbor said. "I've been to Vegas a number of times and this is like a pool party that they throw there." Nearby residents claim they have "lived next to a party house all summer."

The Alpine mansion is owned by New Jersey personal injury lawyer Joseph LaBarbera. Promoters have already spread the word about another event scheduled for this weekend.