Mayor Gorton responds to protective order between council members

LEXINGTON, Ky. (WKYT) - Lexington Mayor Linda Gorton has responded to a judge's ruling regarding a protective order between two council members.

Gorton and Vice Mayor Dan Wu released this joint statement:

"Residents of Lexington expect their elected officials to act professionally and lawfully. We are deeply disturbed by a judge's recent decision finding reason to believe a Councilmember engaged in multiple assaults on a colleague. This conduct is unacceptable in or out of the workplace, and LFUCG will fully abide by the judge's ruling."

On October 16, a judge granted a three-year protection order barring Councilmember Brenda Monarrez from contacting Councilmember Denise Gray. She can't go within 500 feet of Gray's home or city hall.

Because of the nature of the complaint, we're choosing not to report the specific details of what prompted the request for the protective order.

Gray says she felt vulnerable and afraid after two specific interactions with Monárrez over the past three years.

An interpersonal protective order is intended to protect a victim from someone accused of physical or sexual abuse and harassment.

No criminal charges have been filed against Monárrez.