Judge grants three-year protective order between Councilmembers

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

On October 16th, Judge Traci Brislin issued a three-year interpersonal protective order against 4th District Councilmember Brenda Monarrez in response to allegations of sexual assault made by 6th District Councilmember Denise Gray. The order stipulates that:

• Councilmember Monarrez cannot be within 500 feet of Councilmember Gray, nor within 500 feet of Gray’s home.

• Monarrez cannot be within 500 feet of the Lexington Fayette Urban-County Government Center (City Hall).

• Monarrez cannot attempt to contact Gray through a third-party or mutual friend/connection.

The order makes no mention of whether Monarrez can attend meetings virtually or not. Monarrez has been attending Council meetings virtually since mid-August, when Judge Brislin placed a temporary protective order against Monarrez with the same stipulations listed above.

That temporary order specifically stated Monarrez should attend meetings virtually, but the three-year order Judge Brislin granted after the October 16th hearing makes no stipulations nor accommodations for if Monarrez can attend Council meetings. It is currently unclear if Monarrez can continue to attend meetings virtually.

In August 2024, Gray filed the request for the protective order. Gray’s filing report alleged that Monarrez sexually assaulted Gray on two separate occasions in October of 2021 and August of 2024.

Through a personal statement and during her testimony in the October 16th hearing, Councilmember Monarrez fully denied Councilmember Gray’s accusations. Monarrez told the Herald-Leader that she has no intention of resigning from office. Her attorney, Edward Cooley, said that they may consider appealing the ruling.

You can read more detailed accounts of Gray’s allegations and Monarrez’s testimony at WEKU and the Lexington Herald-Leader.