Ky. Democratic Party bars Lexington Councilwoman accused of sexual misconduct from events
The Kentucky Democratic Party has barred a Lexington councilwoman accused of sexual misconduct from attending state Democratic Party events.
The Kentucky Democratic Party State Central Committee voted Saturday to also remove Lexington-Fayette Urban County Councilwoman Brenda Monarrez from all of its communications, according to Jonathan Levin, a spokesman for the KDP.
The motion read as follows:
“Motion to remove Brenda Monarrez from all KDP sponsored events and all internal communications from the KDP and further to bar her entry to any official KDP sponsored functions due to the serious and well documented allegations of sexual misconduct against her.”
Monarrez said she was given no notice of the party’s actions either before or after it voted on the ban.
“I was given no notice of any intended action being taken beforehand and did not receive a notification of any decision afterwards,” Monarrez said. “I was not allowed to give any statement, answer any questions or provide any sort of defense or evidence.”
At the same Saturday meeting, the party also voted to bar Rep. Daniel Grossberg, a Louisville representative, from attending KDP events. Grossberg has been accused by multiple people of sexually inappropriate conduct, including communications and interactions.
Lexington Councilwoman Denise Gray said Monarrez was sexually aggressive towards her twice over three years in a petition for an emergency protection order that was granted Aug. 8.
As part of the conditions of that protection order, Monarrez must attend council meetings virtually and must work from her home office.
A hearing is set for Oct. 14 to determine if the protection order should remain in place.
Monarrez has strenuously denied the allegations saying they were without merit and politically motivated.
A protection order is a civil matter. No criminal charges have been filed.
Monarrez faces Emma Curtis, who has come forward as one of Grossberg’s victims, for the Fourth District Council seat on Nov. 5. The race is nonpartisan. Both Curtis and Monarrez are active in the Kentucky Democratic Party.
