Lexington, Kentucky — Fayette County Urban Councilwoman Brenda Monarrez has filed an appeal with the Kentucky Court of Appeals seeking to vacate a protection order that prohibits her from entering city hall. The appeal, submitted on Tuesday, also calls for the disqualification of Fayette Circuit Court Judge Traci Brislin from the case and requests that any future protective orders exclude Monarrez’s “official capacity activities,” such as attending city hall meetings.
The three-year restraining order, issued by Brislin on October 16, is linked to allegations made by fellow Councilwoman Denise Gray, who accused Monarrez of sexual assault. According to court proceedings, Brislin ruled that Monarrez assaulted Gray twice in three years, with the most recent incident reported in August. During the October 16 hearing, Gray testified that Monarrez attempted to kiss and fondle her, and in a 2021 incident, Gray awoke to find Monarrez performing a sexual act on her.
As a result of the protection order, Monarrez has been participating in council meetings virtually since August 20, following a temporary restraining order. Emma Curtis, who is running against Monarrez in the upcoming council election for the 4th District, has called for Monarrez to withdraw from the race, arguing that Monarrez cannot effectively serve her constituents while barred from city hall until 2027.
Monarrez’s appeal stresses the urgency for the Court of Appeals to provide guidance, especially as significant budget meetings are forthcoming. The city recently allocated $20 million in surplus funds, and Monarrez’s requests for funding on multiple park projects were not met.
Neither Judge Brislin nor Gray responded to requests for comment following the appeal. Both women were elected to the council in November 2022, with Gray running unopposed in the current election cycle. So far, no criminal charges against Monarrez have been filed, although a police investigation is ongoing.
Monarrez’s legal representative stated in the appeal that Judge Brislin’s order puts Monarrez in an untenable position that either forces her to fulfill her duties as an elected official or face legal repercussions. The appeal asserts that this constitutes judicial overreach, violating the separation of powers and impeding Monarrez from effectively representing her constituents in the 4th District.
In a statement following the filing, Monarrez reiterated her denial of the allegations against her, highlighting her belief in her innocence. She expressed concerns regarding the integrity of the judicial process and asked constituents to consider the validity of the allegations based on her past interactions with Gray.
In summary, this legal battle continues to unfold as Monarrez seeks to resume her role within the city government while confronting allegations that have led to substantial ramifications for her political career and representation of her constituents.
