An Orange County Judge Bars a Former Boyfriend of US Rep. Katie Porter

Restraining Order Effective for Five Years

A Superior Court Judge, Elia Naqvi, has ordered a former boyfriend of U.S. Representative Katie Porter, Julian Willis, to stay away from her and her children for the next five years. The order was issued due to alleged domestic abuse, with the judge stating that Willis committed “persistent abuse and harassment” by sending Porter hundreds of threatening and harassing messages.

Harassment and Abuse Claims

According to court filings, Willis, 55, bombarded Porter with messages, including over 1,000 text messages and emails. He even texted her 82 times in a single 24-hour period. Porter claimed that Willis sent these messages so frequently that she feared for her safety and emotional well-being. The messages began after she asked him to move out of her Irvine home in August.

Court Proceedings

Porter waited for nearly three hours as the judge worked through a docket of domestic violence cases before her own case was called. When it was, only two reporters and Porter, accompanied by her attorney Gerald Singleton, were present. Porter testified that she and Willis had a decade-long relationship, and while he had never physically abused her, he had repeatedly violated the November restraining order by continuing to contact her and her colleagues.

Emails and Texts

Singleton read out a portion of an email sent by Willis, which said, “Please inform the court that I violated the terms of your partially approved, out-of-state restraining order.” Singleton expressed concern that Willis had told Porter and law enforcement in New Jersey, where he now lives, that the restraining order did not apply to him.

Court Order and Future Consequences

Naqvi stated that the restraining order would prevent Willis from contacting Porter, her children, or her colleagues for the next five years. The order was deemed justified due to the couple’s decade-long relationship and because of Willis’ repeated violations of the restraining order. Porter declined to comment after the hearing.

Future Consequences for Willis

Willis has not yet responded to Porter’s allegations and did not appear in court. As the order is in place, any further violations may result in severe consequences. Restraining orders in California can last up to five years.

Conclusion

The hearing has resulted in a permanent restraining order for Porter against Willis, aiming to ensure her safety and well-being. The five-year ban on contact and discussion aims to prevent any further harm or harassment from occurring.