Assembly members search to take away colleague, probe whether or not taxpayer-funded journey fueled personal enterprise

ANCHORAGE, Alaska (KTUU) – Two Anchorage Assembly members are looking for to take away a colleague from workplace, alleging a breach of the general public belief.

Assembly Members Jared Goecker and Donald Handeland launched AR 2026-192 on Thursday. The decision would formally provoke removing proceedings towards Assembly Member George Martinez underneath Anchorage Municipal Code Section 2.70.030. It is scheduled for its first studying earlier than the total Assembly on July 7.

The resolution alleges Martinez used taxpayer-funded municipal journey to acquire or keep elevated airline standing or different private journey rewards. It additional alleges that journey could have coincided with or sponsored his personal enterprise actions. The doc additionally raises questions on whether or not Martinez complied with monetary disclosure necessities, particularly concerning his employment as an adjunct professor and his possession curiosity in Consoach LLC.

Goecker and Handeland are requesting an unbiased investigation into the allegations outlined within the decision, citing the necessity for “impartial fact-finding” to “preserve public trust.”

Martinez addressed the proceedings in an emailed assertion Thursday evening.

“The civil APOC matter has been adjudicated and resolved, and I’ve fully complied with the Commission’s order,” he wrote. “My Assembly travel was authorized and undertaken for legitimate legislative purposes, and, to the best of my knowledge, I am in compliance with all applicable reporting and disclosure requirements.”

What investigators would study

The decision additionally calls on the municipal legal professional to rent outdoors counsel to conduct an unbiased investigation. If handed, that investigation could be directed to look at a number of particular questions.

Those questions embody whether or not taxpayer-funded municipal journey materially contributed to Martinez acquiring or sustaining elevated airline standing or different journey rewards. Investigators would additionally have a look at whether or not all taxpayer-funded journey throughout his tenure conformed to the code of ethics, municipal code, state statute, or different relevant legislation or regulation.

The probe would study whether or not any taxpayer-funded journey coincided with or sponsored Martinez’s personal enterprise or business actions. Separately, investigators would have a look at whether or not Martinez complied with monetary disclosure necessities, particularly regarding his employment as an adjunct professor and his possession curiosity in Consoach LLC.

Additional questions embody whether or not any journey requests, reimbursement requests, or supporting documentation have been modified or supplemented after questions have been raised through the approval course of. Investigators would additionally decide whether or not approving officers had all materials info wanted to make knowledgeable choices concerning the expenditure of taxpayer funds.

Finally, outdoors counsel would study whether or not the proof, taken collectively, demonstrates a broader sample regarding using public workplace for personal profit.

Outside counsel would have full entry to municipal data and personnel. If the information assist it, counsel might additionally put together an amended accusation doc for the Assembly to contemplate. Counsel would additionally signify the municipality at any subsequent administrative listening to.

Under Anchorage Municipal Code Section 2.70.030, removing proceedings towards an meeting member can solely start after an accusation doc is delivered to the municipal clerk. That step requires both a majority vote of the total Assembly or a referral from the municipal Board of Ethics.

The code lists actions that will represent a breach of the general public belief, together with perjury, falsification of data, submitting false studies, nepotism, making private use of municipal property, and precise or tried official misconduct as outlined by state legislation, amongst others.

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