Brockton, Mass. Mayor Says ‘I Am Not About to Resign’ After Wrentham Court Hearing

Brockton, Mass. — Brockton Mayor Moises Rodrigues says he has no plans to resign following Friday’s clerk magistrate hearing in Wrentham District Court, where prosecutors presented evidence in connection with allegations involving a 17-year-old Brockton High School student.

“I am not about to resign; I am not about to step aside,” Rodrigues said following the hearing, according to Boston 25 News. “I’m going to continue to do what the people of Brockton elected me to do to run their city.”

The hearing centered on whether there is probable cause to issue a criminal complaint against Rodrigues for assault and battery. The allegations stem from an incident during Brockton’s Huntington Day Parade in May.

According to investigators, the student told police that Rodrigues approached her while she was participating with the school’s marching band, wrapped his arms around her waist and pulled her closer. Investigators said the teenager reported that the interaction made her uncomfortable.

Massachusetts State Police presented evidence during Friday’s hearing, including witness interviews, photographs and video from the parade. Investigators told the clerk magistrate they believe the evidence supports probable cause for an assault and battery charge.

Rodrigues’ attorneys disputed the allegations and argued that the videos and photographs do not provide the complete context surrounding the interaction. His defense also argued that the mayor was interacting with numerous people during the parade.

Rodrigues told the court that he did not remember having contact with the student.

“I don’t even know who this person is,” Rodrigues said in court, according to Boston 25 News.

The mayor also said he was troubled to learn that someone felt uncomfortable because of an interaction with him. He said that if the family believed his actions were inappropriate, he apologized and continues to apologize.

“I trust in the process,” Rodrigues said after the hearing.

The proceeding was a show-cause hearing, meaning the clerk magistrate was not deciding whether Rodrigues was guilty or innocent. Instead, the question is whether sufficient probable cause exists for a criminal complaint to be issued.

The clerk magistrate did not immediately issue a decision Friday. The matter was taken under advisement, with a decision expected in the coming days.

The case became widely known in June after the teenager’s mother confronted Rodrigues during Brockton High School’s graduation ceremony. The incident led to additional public attention surrounding the allegations.

A harassment prevention order previously sought against Rodrigues was later terminated by a judge.

For now, Rodrigues remains in office and has made clear that he intends to continue serving as Brockton’s mayor while the clerk magistrate considers whether criminal charges should move forward.

The matter remains pending, and no criminal charge has been issued as of Friday’s hearing.

Source: Boston 25 News