Hernandez Wants To Withdraw Battery Complaint Against His Ex Lover
SAN FERNANDO (CBS) — Another twist in the soap opera involving the San Fernando City Council?
It looks that way.
Amid distractions of infidelity, firings, assault charges, recall efforts and restraining orders, it now appears that battling council members Mario Hernandez and Maribel De La Torre -- one time lovers -- may be trying to put the messy scandal behind them.
Jeff Nguyen, reporting for CBS2 and KCAL9, says Hernandez, at least, is looking to do a 180. He wants to withdraw his battery complaint against her.
Hernandez said, "I will be communicating with the district attorney's office tomorrow, Monday, of my intention to withdraw the complaint against council member De La Torre."
On Friday, Nguyen reports the district attorney's office filed two misdemeanor charges against De La Torre for a June 28th incident.
De La Torre is accused of attacking Hernandez and trying to smash his laptop computer. Police said when they questioned her, Hernandez had red marks on his neck.
Afterwards, the two filed restraining orders against one another.
Julian Ruelas of the San Fernando Recall Committee, talked to Nguyen about the change in Hernandez. "He's wishy washy. This type of attitude. I'm going to file charges. I'm not going to file charges. I'm going to do this. I'm not going to do this."
In November, Hernandez acknowledged -- at a council meeting that his wife was attending -- that he and De La Torre were having an affair.
A recall effort has been launched against De La Torre and Hernandez to fill the seat from which he resigned.
Hernandez says the detective investigating the June 28th incident acted inappropriately by posting comments on the matter to his Facebook account.
Says Hernandez, "The investigation was compromised. Again, it makes me question how many other investigations have been compromised by the police department."
Many see the decision to withdraw his complaint against De La Torre less about the police and Facebook, but more of an olive branch to his ex, reports Nguyen.
Regardless, critics say city resources were spent after Hernandez dialed 911.
Says Ruelas, "She laid her hands on him in an inappropriate way, which by our conventions of our society is wrong and needs to be dealt with."
De La Torre's attorney told CBS2 and KCAL9, "I am proud that Mr. Hernandez dropped charges today."
