Court hearing will decide the future of protective order between Councilmembers

Lexington-Fayette Urban County Government Center. Source: City of Lexington.

At 1pm on October 16th, Judge Traci Brislin will presider over a hearing to decide whether or not 6th District Councilmember Denise Gray’s interpersonal protective restraining order against 4th District Councilmember Brenda Monarrez should be granted on a long-term basis.

In August, Judge Brislin granted a temporary protective order in response to a filing by Councilmember Gray which alleged sexually aggressive behavior by Councilmember Monarrez against Gray on multiple occasions. Since the order was granted, Councilmember Monarrez has been attending Council meetings virtually and working from home. You can read about Gray’s filing and allegations against Monarrez here.

During this hearing, attorneys for both Councilmember Gray and Monarrez will present evidence for each side of the case. Monarrez has denied all of the allegations made against her.

If the order is granted long-term, it is unclear what the impact will be on Councilmember Monarrez’s ability to serve on Council. If the order is not granted, Councilmember Monarrez should be able to begin attending Council Meetings in-person again and working from her office in the Government Center.