Court Weighing Whether Mayor Moises Rodrigues Should Face Assault Charge After Teen’s Allegation

Brockton, Mass. — Court Weighing Whether Mayor Moises Rodrigues Should Face Assault Charge After Teen’s Allegation

A Wrentham District Court clerk magistrate is deciding whether Brockton Mayor Moises Rodrigues should face a criminal charge of assault and battery following allegations that he inappropriately touched a 17-year-old Brockton High School student during a parade in May.

The decision follows a public show-cause hearing Friday, Aug. 7, where Massachusetts State Police presented evidence and Rodrigues’ attorneys argued against issuing a criminal complaint.

The allegations stem from the Huntington Day Parade on May 22. According to investigators, the student was participating with the Brockton High School marching band when Rodrigues approached her, wrapped his arms around her waist and pulled her closer to him.

The student told investigators the interaction made her uncomfortable. The case later became public during Brockton High School’s graduation ceremony in June, when the teenager’s mother confronted Rodrigues while he was speaking at the event.

The confrontation prompted police to intervene and brought increased public attention to the allegations.

At Friday’s hearing, State Police investigators presented the clerk magistrate with photographs and video from the parade. Investigators also discussed interviews with students and school employees that they said supported portions of the teenager’s account.

Massachusetts State Police Lt. John Santos told the court that investigators believed there was probable cause to charge Rodrigues with one count of assault and battery.

Rodrigues’ defense attorneys disputed that conclusion. Attorney Mark Lawton argued that the video evidence did not demonstrate a criminal assault and emphasized that Rodrigues was interacting with numerous people during what he described as a large celebration.

“Not every touching is criminal,” Lawton argued during the hearing.

Rodrigues also testified, saying he interacted with hundreds of people during the parade and did not remember coming into contact with the student.

The mayor said he had no intention of making anyone uncomfortable and said he was unable to recall the specific interaction described by investigators.

“I do not recall ever coming in contact with the young woman,” Rodrigues said during the proceeding.

The mayor previously acknowledged that it was possible he placed his hand on the student but denied intentionally touching her inappropriately. He has also said that if his actions made the student uncomfortable, he was sorry.

The criminal proceeding is separate from an earlier harassment prevention case involving the teenager.

In June, a Hingham District Court judge declined to extend a harassment prevention order against Rodrigues. The judge said the alleged conduct was unwelcome, offensive and unprofessional but did not meet the legal standard necessary to extend the order. The judge also discouraged Rodrigues from having further contact with the teenager.

Friday’s hearing was not a determination of guilt or innocence. Instead, the clerk magistrate is considering whether there is sufficient probable cause for a criminal complaint to be issued.

The magistrate did not issue a decision Friday and took the matter under advisement. According to NBC Boston, a decision is expected sometime next week.

Until a decision is made, Rodrigues has not been criminally charged in connection with the allegation.

The case remains under investigation, and the outcome of the clerk magistrate’s decision could determine whether the mayor formally faces an assault and battery charge.