San Fernando is witnessing another twist in the headline-grabbing tale of two City Council members who last fall admitted having an affair with each other.
The city confirmed Saturday that the pair – Councilwoman Maribel De La Torre and Councilman Mario Hernandez – have taken out restraining orders against each other.
The unusual scenario, prompted by allegations of violence during an argument, was first reported by the Los Angeles Daily News.
The two council members have been ordered to stay 100 yards away from each other – making it difficult for them to join Tuesday's City Council meeting.
The northeast San Fernando Valley city of 23,000 has seen plenty of political drama in past, and it continues to be rocked by instability.
Without De La Torre and Hernandez, the City Council voted this week to fire San Fernando's new police chief, Gil Carillo, who was overseeing a police investigation into the councilwoman, the Los Angeles Times reported.
Last fall, Hernandez, 47, announced at a open council meeting -- where his wife was in the audience -- that he was having an affair with De La Torre, 41.
In sworn statements filed in court, both accused each other of violence during a June 28 fight that involved an iPad, the Daily News reported. A police report said that Hernandez was injured.
Local
Get Los Angeles's latest local news on crime, entertainment, weather, schools, COVID, cost of living and more. Here's your go-to source for today's LA news.
Hernandez issued a statement to the media saying that "false accusations of domestic violence" mock the real thing.
"The only thing I will say I have never raised my hand against her at any time, or any other woman in my life. It's just not right," Hernandez wrote. "There is no excuse for that type of behavior. Those that mock this private issue, shame on them because domestic violence is not a laughing matter. "
De La Torre also issued a short statement to the media.
"Words cannot begin to express how saddened I am over the events of the past several days," she wrote. "While I would like to address the allegations, it would be inappropriate to discuss this matter until any potential legal issues are resolved."
Hernandez, De La Torre and Mayor Brenda Esqueda are all targets of an ongoing recall campaign. Esqueda was accused of having an affair with a city police sergeant.
Late Friday, San Fernando's city administrator Al Hernandez issued a statement saying the restraining orders "have been filed by, and against, Councilmember Maribel De La Torre and Councilmember Mario F. Hernandez."
The statement said the city "will be looking into these matters shortly and taking appropriate actions, as necessary."
Follow NBCLA for the latest LA news, events and entertainment: iPhone/iPad App | Facebook | Twitter | Google+ | Instagram | RSS | Text Alerts | Email Alerts
