Wife says Alan Grayson shoved her during domestic incidentBy Jeff Weiner, Orlando Sentinel
3:30 pm, March 4, 2014
A judge has granted a temporary protective injunction against U.S. Rep. Alan Grayson after his wife filed paperwork accusing the Orlando congressman of shoving and injuring her during an incident this past weekend.
Lolita Grayson's petition for the injunction, dated Monday, says her husband pushed her against a door, causing her to fall to the ground, during a confrontation Saturday at their home on Oak Park Road near Windermere.
In a statement, Alan Grayson's press secretary, Lauren Doney, wrote that the allegations "are absolutely false, completely unfounded, and clearly designed to vilify and harm Congressman Grayson."
"Congressman Grayson firmly denies Ms. Grayson's frivolous accusations," the statement said.
The incident comes just less than two months after Lolita Grayson filed a divorce petition stating that their marriage of nearly 24 years was "irretrievably broken."
Asked about the incident, Orange County Sheriff's Office Capt. Angelo Nieves said in a written response that the agency "is currently conducting a Domestic Violence investigation which is open and active at this point."
A heavily redacted Sheriff's Office document released Tuesday identified Lolita Grayson as the victim in the incident and listed the offense under investigation as domestic-violence battery.
Grayson was not arrested in the incident and is not currently facing any criminal charges.
According to the petition, Lolita Grayson was preparing to take the couple's two youngest children to a play date when Alan Grayson "showed up, unannounced" and asked to speak with her inside.
After she refused, retrieved his mail and asked him to leave, Alan Grayson "then deliberately and with force pushed [Lolita Grayson] very hard against the front door, causing [her] to fall to the ground as a result," the petition states.
She told her husband not to touch her, then pushed him in the face and kneed him in the stomach "in order to protect and defend herself" before calling 911, her petition says.
As she was talking to the operator, Alan Grayson told his wife, in the presence of their children, that she "would receive nothing" in their divorce and would be left "in the gutter," the petition states.
Photos filed by Lolita Grayson's attorneys with the petition show large bruises to her left leg and left shoulder.
Her complaint alleges that "from time to time" in the past, her husband "has battered [her] and the parties' minor children," though she has not previously sought an injunction against him.
The petition says she now fears for her safety, citing the latest incident and his "history of physical violence toward" her.
In the statement released by his office, Alan Grayson said his wife initiated the violence.
"Sadly, it was Ms. Grayson who physically attacked the Congressman as he attempted to visit with his children. He did not respond to Ms. Grayson's violent assault," the statement said.
It added that Lolita Grayson has become "increasingly erratic" since filing for divorce, and her husband "is deeply concerned by her recent behavior and is profoundly pained by her accusations."
Juan Lopez, the congressman's director of constituent services, told the Orlando Sentinel on Tuesday that he was present at the Grayson home Saturday and watched the incident from about 15 feet away.
Lopez said Alan Grayson never shoved or struck his wife: "Absolutely not .... It's just unfortunate that this is happening and that she would say something like this."
Lolita Grayson filed for divorce in January, seeking joint, but primary, custody of their four minor children. She was also seeking their marital home — where Saturday's incident occurred — distribution of assets, alimony and child support.
In response to her petition, an Orange County circuit judge signed an injunction granting Lolita Grayson temporary custody of their children and possession of the home, and barring contact by her husband. Judges typically grant temporary injunctions in domestic-violence cases until both parties appear in court.
Alan Grayson, a Democrat, represents Florida's 9th Congressional District, an area that covers much of eastern Orange County, Osceola County and a sliver of Polk County.
He was first elected in 2008, lost re-election in 2010 and then won again in the newly formed district in 2012. He is seeking re-election this year, facing challenges from a Democrat, several Republicans and an independent.
The injunction signed Monday will remain in effect at least until a scheduled appearance before a judge March 20.
http://touch.orlandosentinel.com/#section/-1/article/p2p-79518636/
