Downey granted restraining order against vulgar critic

DOWNEY — The city of Downey has been granted a permanent restraining order against the city council’s regularly vulgar critic Armando Herman by the Los Angeles County Superior Court, the city has announced.

The court order bars Herman, 56, of Hacienda Heights, from attending city council meetings for a period of three years effective immediately, and is subject to renewal.

The city says it sought the restraining order due to Herman’s “escalating, disruptive, and threatening conduct.”

Members of the city council all praised the decision by the court.

“The City of Downey is pleased with the Court’s ruling today because it protects Downey City Council Members from threats of workplace violence and abusive conduct.,” said Mayor Mario Trujillo in a statement released by the city. “To effectively conduct the business of the public, cities cannot tolerate behavior of this type by members of the public in attendance at city council meetings. Such disruptive behaviors limit public engagement and create unsafe environments, contradicting the City's commitment to maintaining order and fostering a community where everyone feels heard, and their concerns are addressed fairly, safely, and justly.”

Mayor Pro Tem Hector Sosa said that “The decision made by the Court allows us to continue doing the community’s work in a safe and professional manner.”

Councilwoman Claudia M. Frometa said she was “grateful” for the work of City Attorney John Funk and Judge Randall Pacheco.

“The type of threats, intimidation, and verbal assaults we city officials endure in the name of free speech cannot continue to be tolerated,” she said.

Known for his fiery and often abrasive outbursts at city meetings, the city council has ejected Herman from its meetings several times.

Herman sued the city in 2017 after then mayor Fernando Vasquez tossed him after several warnings over his usage of curse words. He and the city ultimately settled for $5,000.

The Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors was also granted a restraining order (also for three years) against Herman last year, after he allegedly sent vulgar, threatening emails to four of its five members.