Wednesday, March 14, 2001
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Posted at 7:45 p.m., Wednesday, March 14, 2001

UPW's Rodrigues steps down from judicial selection panel

By Scott Ishikawa
Advertiser Staff Writer

United Public Workers leader Gary Rodrigues has temporarily stepped down as a member of the state Judicial Selection Commission effective immediately.

A federal grand jury last week indicted Rodrigues and his daughter, Robin Haunani Rodrigues Sabatini, on charges of mail fraud, embezzlement and money laundering for allegedly taking money from the union's dental and health benefits programs.

In a memorandum to commission chairman David Fairbanks dated March 12, Rodrigues said effective immediately "I will not participate in the selection of judges or the retention of judges as a member of the state Judicial Selection Commission while I am a defendant in the federal court."

Fairbanks said Rodrigues came to his decision on his own and the commission did not press him to step aside.

Fairbanks said the nine-member commission can still select judges with eight members. "We have quorum of at least five and we can function with eight," Fairbanks said. "This will not affect our work, but we will miss Gary's insights and contributions to the meetings."
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