The scandal over Boston Mayor Michelle Wu’s nationally-publicized “enemies” list may be far from over.

Her administration may have to go to court to defend the list and explain its origins after a judge agreed to make it part of discovery in a case against a North End restaurateur accused of trying to shoot a business rival, the Boston Herald reported.

The attorney for Patrick Mendoza, who owns Monica’s Trattoria in the city’s Italian district, is demanding to know how Mendoza ended up on the list of Wu’s vocal critics and what police did with it – questions that Wu hasn’t yet answered.

“I want to know who generated the list, what it was intended for and why it was sent to the Boston Police Department,” attorney Rosemary Scapicchio told the Herald.

“I’m trying to get the information because it could be exculpatory to my client.”

A judge on Friday agreed to the request, meaning the Wu administration will have to turn over emails, texts or any communication about the list.

The judicial order means Wu herself or her top lieutenants could be deposed under oath.

The list, which was compared to former President Richard Nixon’s “enemies list,” was first reported by the Herald. In addition to Mendoza’s name, it includes more than a dozen other vocal Wu critics.

Wu claimed the list was requested by police and sent to cops by an aide, because the people on it were deemed threats to her and her family. A number of people on the list have protested against Wu, showing up at her public events and shouting at her for forcing a Covid vaccine mandate on city employees.

“The reality is that we have a public safety plan for nearly all of our public events now because it is necessary and we are in close coordination with the Boston Police,” Wu said. “I’m very grateful to BPD for all that they do to keep everyone safe including my family and our city workers.”

Scapicchio said the list could have a potential bearing on Mendoza’s defense. “Who decided it was a threat and what was the threat?” the attorney asked.

The next hearing for the case is set on Aug. 24.

Mendoza, who’s been charged with assault with intent to murder in the case involving a business competitor, is being held in jail without bail.

Wu is on a 10-day vacation out of state.