Dem PA state Rep. Kevin Boyle issued arrest warrant for violating restraining order

On Tuesday, police in Pennsylvania issued an arrest warrant for state Rep. Kevin Boyle for violating a restraining order filed against him by his estranged wife.

The Democratic lawmaker allegedly texted her, which is against the terms of the order.

According to CBS News, the Philadelphia Police Department confirmed the reason behind the warrant, but did not reveal any further information. Boyle, who represents the northeastern district of the city in the state legislature, has also not spoken out about the situation.

This is not the first time Boyle has faced legal repercussions related to conduct with his wife. In 2021, he was arrested and charged with harassing her and violating a protection order she had filed against him by showing up at her house uninvited. 

The charges were dropped, and Boyle went on to seek help at a mental health facility.

While he later said the treatment gave him a new lease on life, many of his colleagues continued to express concerns about his mental health.

Earlier this year, Boyle was caught on camera shouting at employees at the Gaul & Co Malt House in Montgomery County, allegedly threatening to use his power as a government official to shut the establishment down. Police noted that he was likely drunk and possibly under the influence of drugs, and while no charges were filed, he was permanently banned from the pub.

As ABC6 reports, the incident caught the attention of state House leaders, who took away Boyle's access to the Capitol and removed him as committee chairman. He once again vowed to seek mental health treatment.
 

"I love Kevin, but I have serious concerns about his mental health and it breaks my heart to see him this way," House Majority Leader Matt Bradford said following news that Boyle had a warrant out for his arrest. "I hope he gets the help he needs."

Pennsylvania is set to hold primary elections on April 23, and Boyle may lose his seat to Sean Dougherty, a fellow Democrat who has been supported by the state party.