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Rodrigues was arrested as part of a broader investigation into an alleged coup plot against the newly-elected President Lula da Silva. The 39-year-old hairdresser apologised for writing "You lost, idiot" on the statue of Justice outside the Supreme Federal Court - an incident dubbed the "lipstick coup". She maintains that she did not take part in any violence. "I went to the protests and I didn't imagine that they would be so turbulent," said Rodrigues. "I have never done anything illegal in my life". Rodrigues' lawyers said that she did not enter any buildings during the riots and acted impulsively...

A Westport lawmaker who voted to hike the state sales and alcohol taxes was spotted brazenly piling booze in his car - adorned with his State House license plate - in the parking lot of a tax-free New Hampshire liquor store, the Herald has learned. Michael J. Rodrigues’ blue Ford Crown Victoria, emblazoned with his “House 29” Massachusetts license plate, was parked outside a Granite State liquor store on Interstate-95 South over the weekend, according to a witness who provided pictures to the Herald. The witness, who requested anonymity, claimed he approached Rodrigues, noted his State House plate, and asked...

United Public Workers leader Gary Rodrigues, one of Hawai'i's most powerful and influential labor leaders, was found guilty in federal court yesterday of 101 criminal charges that described how he enriched himself by taking kickbacks and steering phony union consulting contracts to his daughter. The jury of seven women and five men deliberated a little less than 12 hours beginning Monday afternoon before finding Rodrigues and his daughter, Robin Rodrigues Sabatini, guilty of all charges. The two were allowed to remain free, but they must return to court today to listen to arguments about how much, if anything, they must...

Rodrigues found guilty of 101 fraud and other charges By Star-Bulletin Staff citydesk@starbulletin.com -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- A federal court jury found United Public Workers leader Gary Rodrigues guilty of 101 fraud, money laundering and other charges filed against him in connection with union dental and medical contracts. His daughter, Robin Haunani Rodrigues Sabatini, was found guilty of 95 mail fraud, money laundering and other charges. As the clerk read the verdict in the courtroom this evening, Sabatini sobbed on her father’s shoulder. The jury must reconvene tomorrow morning to decide on a forfeiture charge against Sabatini.

<p>Three years after receiving her degree from Kaua'i Community College, the daughter of United Public Workers union leader Gary Rodrigues was running her own consulting business for an annual income of more than $142,000, a federal court was told yesterday.</p>