Lemon Grove councilman accused of drunken violence

Lemon Grove city councilmember David Arambula has been accused of hitting a constituent over the head with a beer bottle in a drunken rage.

On Monday, March 5, the Lemon Grove City Council is expected to reject a legal claim made by Christopher Williams for medical costs and punitive damages resulting from the assault.

According to a claim obtained by the Reader, Williams had submitted a proposal to build a marijuana dispensary in Lemon Grove. On July 14, 2017, councilmember Arambula invited Williams to his home to discuss the proposal. The complaint says Arambula was "drinking heavily."

Just after midnight, according to the claim, Williams went outside to wait for an Uber and as he was looking down at his cell phone, Arambula hit him over his left eye with a beer bottle. Arambula then allegedly "bit, kicked, punched, and choked" Williams after striking him with the bottle.

Williams was taken to the hospital.

"I suffered a serious laceration above my eye, a bite wound, a broken rib, and other injuries," reads Williams’s claim. "I required stitches and a tetanus shot in addition to other treatment. I have substantial medical bills, as well as damages for pain and suffering and lost work."

Williams filed a police report while at the hospital; however, according to the district attorney's case records, no charges were filed. Williams submitted a claim to Lemon Grove to recover his losses, the first step before filing a lawsuit.

On Monday, according to the city agenda, the council plans to deny the claim, which means a lawsuit is likely coming.

In July 2017, Arambula's former boss at a law firm he worked at filed for a restraining order against Arambula. She said that Arambula threatened to "mess her up" and destroy her business.

As reported by 10News, the restraining-order application stated that Arambula, a former Marine, had told her that "he has a severe drinking problem due to some of the things he did to people while in military counter-intelligence…. I was extremely frightened, disturbed, and intimidated by his level of intensity."

A judge later denied issuing a restraining order against Arambula.

Arambula had no comment on the accusations; Williams didn't respond to a request for comment in time for publication.