Union chief asks
dismissal of charge

Gary Rodrigues faces 102
counts of embezzlement

---

By Rick Daysog
rdaysog@starbulletin.com

United Public Workers state Director Gary Rodrigues is asking a federal judge to throw out one of the key charges in the federal government's 102-count kickback and embezzlement case against him.

In a motion filed Thursday in U.S. District Court in Honolulu, Rodrigues' attorney Doron Weinberg said federal prosecutors erred when they alleged that Rodrigues received an illegal $20,000-a-year cash payment from the UPW's life insurance provider in 1997 and 1998.

Weinberg said federal prosecutors did not provide specific information about the nature, date, time or place regarding the alleged crime.

Even if the kickback charge is not thrown out, Weinberg said, it should be heard in a separate trial.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Florence Nakakuni said Rodrigues' claims have no merit and should be denied.

U.S. District Judge David Ezra will hold a hearing Tuesday on Rodrigues' request.

The union leader's challenge comes after a federal grand jury returned a 102-count, superseding indictment last month against Rodrigues and his daughter Robin Haunani Rodrigues Sabatini.

The panel said Rodrigues solicited and received $117,000 in kickbacks from the UPW's life insurance carrier between 1993 and 1998.

The federal grand jury initially charged Rodrigues in March with defrauding UPW members by negotiating contracts in which members paid inflated fees for dental and health-care benefits to Hawaii Dental Service and Pacific Group Medical Association.

Rodrigues and Sabatini have pleaded not guilty.