Gomez Responds to Protection-Order Allegations as Questions Mount About Ballot Name and Business Ownership

Reno City Council Ward 4 candidate Gomez is trying to contain the controversy over two protection-order applications after a prominent elected official publicly withdrew support for his campaign.

Michael Leonard

The issue has expanded beyond the protection-order filings, with additional questions about the name Gomez used in his candidate filing and public records showing that investment entities, rather than Gomez, appear to own the restaurant business frequently associated with his campaign.

Gomez Publishes Response

After my report about the protection-order applications circulated, Gomez issued a public statement acknowledging that two women had sought temporary protection orders against him.

In his crafted statement, Gomez emphasized that neither application alleged physical violence and that neither request resulted in a protection order being granted; however, given the allegations, it is hard to believe that they were not granted.

Gomez wrote: “I have never abused or been physically violent toward a woman.”

The statement focuses on the absence of allegations involving physical assault and on the ultimate disposition of the protection-order requests, but this is spin and ignores what was alleged, which was serious.

Two Women Describe Conduct That Made Them Fearful

Court filings reviewed by this publication show that while the controversy is not centered on allegations of physical assault, both applications describe conduct that the applicants characterized as intimidating, unwanted, threatening, and disruptive.

First Application Alleges Stalking

In the first application, a woman alleges that Gomez stalked her over an extended period. According to the filing, she moved residences and altered her routine because Gomez knew where she lived.

The application describes incidents in which she alleges items were left on her vehicle and property and states that she contacted university police because she was concerned about Gomez’s behavior.

The most recent incident described in the filing involved a handwritten note allegedly left on her vehicle at a new apartment complex. The applicant wrote that discovering the note frightened her because she believed Gomez had located her new residence.

Second Application Alleges Aggressive Conduct

The second application describes a confrontation at the applicant’s residence. According to the filing, Gomez arrived at the residence uninvited, remained outside for an extended period, banged on doors, yelled through windows, opened a screen door, grabbed a camera, attempted to damage property, and became involved in what the applicant described as a pushing confrontation. The applicant wrote that Gomez’s behavior made her feel unsafe in her own home.

Alexis Hill Withdraws Support

The controversy has already produced political consequences. Washoe County Commissioner Alexis Hill publicly announced that she was withdrawing her support for Gomez.

In a social-media comment, Hill wrote:

“UPDATE: Many of you raised concerns and questions about Eddie Gomez, candidate for Reno City Council Ward 4. I share those concerns, and I am withdrawing my support.”

The statement is significant because Hill is not merely a voter or campaign volunteer. As a sitting Washoe County commissioner, Hill is one of the region’s highest-profile elected officials.

Her decision marks a public break with Gomez after the protection-order allegations were disclosed.

Questions About Gomez’s Ballot Name

A separate issue involves the name Gomez used on the ballot. Nevada election records list the Ward 4 candidate as Eddie Gomez.

However, a Nevada driver’s license reviewed by this publication identifies the candidate as Eduardo Javier Gomez Meza.

Nevada law allows candidates to use familiar forms of their given names on the ballot. The law also contains separate provisions governing the use of nicknames.

Whether “Eddie” qualifies as a permissible familiar form of “Eduardo” under Nevada election rules is unclear, but officials accepted his filing.

A source tells me the Reno City Clerk apparently failed to review the application and supporting documents properly and forwarded it to the elections officials.

Another source pointed out that people searching for Eddie Gomez to learn about the candidate might not find records related to Eduardo Javier Gomez Meza.

Public Records Raise Questions About Business Ownership Claims

Gomez is associated with Cielito Lindo Taqueria in campaign discussions and public commentary. However, Health District permit records reviewed by this publication do not list Gomez as the owner of the restaurant or bar operations. Instead, the records identify separate investment entities.

The restaurant permit lists Hart Estate Investment Company as the owner.

A permit associated with the bar operation lists Russell Family LLC as the owner.

The records do not establish whether Gomez holds a financial interest in either entity or serves in a management role with the operation. However, they do indicate the business is owned through corporate entities rather than directly by Gomez.

That distinction matters to voters who have understood Gomez’s public image as tied to owning the restaurant, as he promotes himself as a businessman.

A Candidate Facing Multiple Questions

Gomez now faces scrutiny on multiple fronts. The protection-order applications raise questions about past conduct and personal behavior.

His ballot filing has raised questions about using the name “Eddie Gomez” instead of Eduardo Javier Gomez Meza.

Meanwhile, public business records suggest that the restaurant associated with the candidate is owned by investment entities rather than Gomez himself.

Eddie Gomez an Unusual Reno Ward 4 Challenger with an Odd Alliance

This article covers other issues surrounding Gomez, including property liens, questions about residency, mortgage applications, charges and judgments over business insurance, and an assault at a nightclub.

Whether voters view these issues as disqualifying remains to be seen, but with a sitting Washoe County commissioner already withdrawing support and public discussion intensifying, the controversy has become a defining issue in the Ward 4 race. In my previous article, people voted 100% against Gomez as a candidate.

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