Gov. Called Congressman Putz For Event. The Restaurant Responded.

JERSEY CITY, NJ — The Maritime Parc restaurant in Jersey City — the site of a controversial Young Republicans dinner last week that resulted in Gov. Phil Murphy calling Florida Rep. Matt Gaetz a "putz" — released a statement about the brouhaha on Monday evening.

A spokesperson for Maritime Parc, a restaurant at Liberty State Park on the Hudson River, said the restaurant broke no laws when hosting the Republican event Thursday night, and that they had no affiliation with the group.

They said they had been hit with threats and other harassment since a story about the gathering hit the news on Friday.

The controversy began Thursday night when an attendee of an annual New York City Young Republicans gathering posted a photo on Twitter daring Gov. Andrew Cuomo to "come get me." Photos around social media showed maskless attendees celebrating.

Republican Joel Fischer sent the controversial Tweet saying, "Hey @NYGovCuomo, I'm at the @NYYRC with [Florida Rep.] @mattgaetz. Come and get me." (The Tweet appears to have been since removed.)

But it turned out that the soiree was actually held across the river in New Jersey, prompting state and Jersey City officials to question whether it had violated coronavirus precautions.

Jersey City officials temporarily shut the restaurant while they investigated.

The spokesperson for the restaurant said on Monday evening:

"Yes, the Young Republicans held their gala at Maritime Parc in a room that had a capacity limit of 600 guests; it was a last minute booking. While I don’t have the exact headcount, I can confirm that it was within the allotted capacity under current NJ restrictions, that tables were spaced 6 feet apart, there were no bars (drinks were served table side by servers wearing masks and gloves) and no dancing."

The spokesperson continued, "All guests were required to wear masks upon entering and exiting the event space. The NJ State Police had visited prior to the event to ensure compliance and go over rules/regulations."

The spokesperson said the event ended at 9:30 p.m.

"We are aware that videos and photos have emerged on social media showing people in close proximity," said the spokesperson. "We surmise this was at the end of the evening as we believe the agenda (only provided to determine A/V needs) called for 2 hours 45 minutes of speaking out of the entire 3.5 hour event. As we did not have any role in the event other than to serve as the venue — this was a business transaction."

The restaurant noted, "There was no partnership nor should Maritime Parc serving as the venue be looked upon as an endorsement of the club or any political party."

According to the statement, restaurant personnel have since spoken with the mayor’s office "who was unaware that the event was within guidelines of capacity, has a complete guest list and contact information as required by set regulations, and also that the NJ State Police were in fact onsite throughout the event to ensure guidelines were followed."

The restaurant said, "Maritime Parc will assist the investigation in whatever ways necessary and is eager to help. They had done everything in their capacity and that is required to be compliant here — including informing the group several times of New Jersey's social distancing regulations."

Unfortunately, noted a spokesperson, Maritime Parc learned of the order to close via social media and left several messages with the mayor's office after learning of the controversy.

Gov. Murphy Tweeted on Friday, "It is also beyond the pale that Rep Matt Putz – I mean @RepMattGaetz – would participate in this. What a fool. Matt – You are not welcome in New Jersey, and frankly I don’t ever want you back in this state."

Murphy included a photo of Gaetz wearing a gas mask on the House of Representatives floor in March, a move criticized by some who felt he was mocking the oncoming threat.

More than 15,000 New Jersey residents, more than 19,000 Florida residents, and more than 285,000 Americans in total have died of the virus — an increase of 7,000 American fatalities since this story first made news on Friday.

READ MORE: Jersey City Mayor: We'll Shut Restaurant After Republican Event.

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