Sheriff’s officer fired in time-card scheme

Copyright © 2008
Gallup Independent
By Phil Stake
Staff writer

GALLUP — McKinley County fired Sheriff’s Lt. Pat Martinez just before Thanksgiving on grounds that he stole between $1,000 and $1,500 by falsifying his time cards during the previous six months, according to County Attorney Doug Decker.

“If you go back more than six months, it may be more,” Decker said.

He said the county based its decision on a “preponderance of evidence,” but if criminal charges are pursued by District Attorney Karl Gillson, the heftier “beyond a reasonable doubt,” standard must be fulfilled.

Gillson is out of town and unavailable to comment.

Decker said the county compared time cards signed by Martinez with his “in-service” and “out-of-service” declarations logged by metro dispatch to uncover the discrepancy.

Martinez is an 18-year veteran of law enforcement. Decker said Martinez will remain eligible for county benefits, such as pension, although the county is seeking restitution for the amount allegedly stolen. He said Martinez is appealing the county’s decision.

“We can’t just fire someone,” Decker said. “There is a due process ... every termination is a difficult decision. This one had the added burden of it being an 18-year veteran.”

The Albuquerque-based attorney representing Martinez could not be reached for comment at 10 a.m. Monday.