Downey

City officials have obtained a temporary restraining order against a resident who, officials say, has harassed and followed city officials.

The order, granted Aug. 2 by Richard Curtis, a commissioner of Norwalk Superior Court, prohibits John Gonzalez from threatening council members Diane Boggs and James Santangelo, City Manager Don Davis and senior building inspector Bill Erickson. The order says Gonzalez must stay at least 25 yards away from the four officials at City Hall.

In addition, Gonzalez also is prohibited from following the four officials and must stay at least 100 yards away from the officials’ homes or businesses.

He also is prohibited from calling the four officials at home, and must telephone them only at City Hall, according to the restraining order.

Scot Yotsuya, assistant to the city manager, said Gonzalez has made “alleged threats verbally” and in written messages, and has “continually tied up our secretarial staff taking lengthy messages.”

“Every one of them is a liar,” Gonzalez replied. “Those people belong in Russia, not in here.”

He said, however, that he intends to obey the temporary restraining order, which is effective until Aug. 20, when a hearing in Norwalk Superior Court will be held on a preliminary injunction.

Gonzalez has made numerous written accusations against city officials, mostly concerning alleged zoning violations, after he was cited this year for adding on to his house on Orizaba Avenue without obtaining proper permits, city officials said.