Couple Sue Pastor for Calling Police to Home

A couple charged in a federal lawsuit Wednesday that their civil rights were violated by a pastor who summoned police to their home after being told they were involved in a violent domestic dispute.

Robert and Lisa Aguilera accused the Rev. Dan Green, spiritual leader of the Assembly of God Church in Port Hueneme, of violating their rights as penitents.

The incident occurred in January 1998, several hours after Green counseled them about marital problems.

The Aguileras also sued the Oxnard Police Department, where Green serves as chaplain, and several police officers who arrested the couple at their home.

Robert Aguilera was booked on suspicion of child endangerment and being under the influence of drugs. His wife was held on four traffic warrants. A judge later dismissed the charges on grounds that the police improperly obtained evidence.

In a telephone interview Wednesday, Green denied revealing any confidential information to the police.

He said that during a visit by the Aguileras, he noticed that Lisa Aguilera had bruises on her face. He said that several hours after the counseling session, he received a call from another parishioner saying that Robert Aguilera was “at it again,” beating his wife. Green said he notified police.

“Whatever I told the police did not come from my counseling with the Aguileras,” Green said. “What I did was totally proper.”