Boynton Beach Mayor Suspended over Obstruction Charges

Gov. Rick Scott suspended Boynton Beach Mayor Jose Angel Rodriguez on Friday following reports that the Palm Beach County politician was charged with allegedly using his office to obstruct an investigation into a child-abuse accusation leveled against him by his wife.

Rodriguez, 49, has been charged with accepting unlawful compensation for official behavior, solicitation to commit unlawful disclosure of confidential criminal information, and resisting or obstructing a law enforcement officer. Accepting unlawful compensation for official behavior is a second-degree felony.The other charges are both first-degree misdemeanors.

According to the Sun-Sentinel, Rodriguez turned himself into the Palm Beach County jail on Thursday.

The charges revolve around allegations that Rodriguez tried to use his influence as mayor to thwart an investigation by Boynton Beach police and child-welfare officials into a child-abuse complaint filed in August by his wife, according to the arrest, the Sentinel reported.

Rodriguez's attorney told the Sentinel his client is innocent.

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