Judge Bars Actor from the Estefans

By Stephen M. Silverman

04/01/2002 at 10:29 AM EST

Singer Gloria Estefan, 45, and her husband, Emilio, 49, obtained a permanent restraining order to keep Venezuelan actor-singer Juan Carlos Diaz away from them, their family, home, businesses, gym and their 7-year-old daughter's school, Associated Press reported. The Estefans had been granted a temporary restraining order against Diaz, 33, in January. Diaz, who faces trial for criminal trespass at the Estefans's estate, did not challenge the order and dropped his request for a stay-away order against the Estefans and their bodyguard. "I agree with this because I don't really want any relations with the Estefans," Diaz told Florida circuit judge Mark King Leban. The judge banned Diaz from having any contact with the Estefans. Diaz initially accused Emilio Estefan of making unwelcome sexual advances toward him at a health club. The Estefans sued Diaz for defamation and accused Diaz of stalking them. "We understand that as public figures, we are a target for people who have nothing to lose in their quest for fame and easy money," Emilio Estefan said in a statement. The couple did not attend the 15-minute hearing, which took place late last week, and their lawyer signed the order keeping Diaz at least 150 yards away on their behalf, said the AP.