A Lexington councilwoman alleges that another councilman repeatedly sexually assaulted her, according to court documents filed with an interpersonal protection order.
Lexington-Fayette Urban County Councilwoman Denise Gray filed an injunction against Councilwoman Brenda Monarrez on August 8.
An interpersonal protection order is a civil order that protects a victim from someone accused of assault or harassment.
In the complaint, Gray alleges that the two first-term council members went out to dinner on Aug. 1. Monarrez allegedly tried to give Gray alcoholic beverages. When Gray dropped her off, Monarrez “tried to kiss me. I repeatedly pushed her away,” the complaint says.
Gray alleges that Monarrez then “used her right hand to grab my vagina out of my clothes,” the document states.
“I was scared and upset,” Gray said in the complaint. Gray said she yelled at Monarrez and that Monarrez eventually entered her home.
Gray, 45, said the two are not in a relationship and that she is heterosexual. Neither Gray nor Monarrez, 52, are married.
“I never gave her permission to touch me in any sexual manner,” Gray said in the complaint.
According to court and police records, no criminal charges have been filed in this case.
Gray declined to comment in a telephone conversation with the Herald-Leader. She did not respond to an email Monday seeking comment.
Monarrez did not respond to emails or phone calls from the Herald-Leader seeking comment.
Gray also wrote in the Aug. 8 complaint that she had celebrated a birthday party in October 2021 and invited several friends, including Monarrez.
In the complaint, Gray said, “She gave me drink after drink (and) offered to drive me home. As she was driving, I passed out. When I woke up, I was in a place I had never been before and she was forcibly performing oral sex on me.”
Gray wrote that she had fled.
Gray says she has been having nightmares since the Aug. 1 incident and is afraid to go to the office.
If the restraining order is approved, Monarrez will no longer be allowed to be at 200 East Main St., Lexington City Hall, or near Gray’s home.
A hearing on the temporary restraining order is scheduled for 8:30 a.m. on Aug. 20. The Lexington-Fayette Urban County Council’s first meeting that day is at 1 p.m.
The council has had five weeks of summer vacation.
Lexington city officials have said the 8:30 a.m. hearing will determine whether Monarrez can attend council meetings.
Monarrez will face Emma Curtis in the November general election for the 4th council district, which covers the areas between Tates Creek and Nicholasville Road south of New Circle Road.
Gray is also serving her first term on the council. She has no opponent in the November general election.
Council elections are non-partisan.
This story may be updated.
