Judge grants protective restraining order filed by Lexington councilwoman against fellow councilmember

LEXINGTON, Ky. (ABC36 NEWS NOW) – A judge has granted a protective restraining order filed by Sixth District Councilmember Denise Gray against Fourth District Councilmember Brenda Monarrez. The order, which was upheld in court on Tuesday, will significantly impact how Monarrez can attend council meetings.

As a result of the ruling, Councilmember Monarrez will no longer be able to attend council meetings in person and will be required to work from home. During Tuesday’s work session meeting, Monarrez was notably absent.

“I’m gonna enter an order that the respondent not go to the office until the hearing,” the judge stated during the proceedings.

The protective restraining order stems from an incident in which Councilmember Gray sought legal protection against Monarrez. The court’s ruling included a restriction preventing Monarrez from coming within 500 feet of Gray or her home.

Monarrez will attend meetings virtually until their next court hearing, scheduled for October 16. Emma Curtis, Monarrez’s opponent in the upcoming November election, reacted to the ruling, stating, “Having this type of behavior alleged against a sitting council member is, quite frankly, unprecedented.”

ABC 36 has reached out to Monarrez for comment but has not yet received a response.