Overview
- At a Hingham District Court hearing on Monday the judge refused to extend a temporary harassment prevention order but said the accuser was credible and told Rodrigues to have no further contact with the minor.
- The 17-year-old testified that during the Huntington Day Parade on May 22 the mayor placed a hand on her waist, pulled her closer and made her feel very uncomfortable while she marched with the school band.
- Rodrigues testified that he did not intend inappropriate contact, said it was possible he put his hand on the student, expressed regret, and cited cultural norms and his past child‑protection work in explaining his actions.
- Brockton Public Schools has hired an independent investigator and the Plymouth district attorney’s office says the student and her parents filed a formal complaint; Massachusetts State Police are also probing the matter and no criminal charges have been announced.
- The case erupted publicly after the student’s mother confronted Rodrigues at the June 6 Brockton High graduation and news outlets have reported a second, not independently confirmed, accusation against the mayor.