Anchorage Assembly Members Donald Handeland and Jared Goecker are calling on Assembly Member George Martinez to resign from the Assembly due to allegations of lying under oath and misusing campaign funds for personal benefit.

Background

Martinez is accused of using campaign funds for an end-of-year mileage run that provided him with a personal airline benefit, then giving a false explanation under oath about the purpose of the trip.

The evidence shows that Martinez purchased a nonrefundable ticket just three days before departure for an approximately 8,000-mile round trip from Anchorage to Fort Lauderdale, with only 63 minutes on the ground before returning to Anchorage on December 31.

Under oath, Martinez testified that the trip was for campaign strategic planning, was not a mileage run, and was intended to provide approximately 20 hours of uninterrupted planning time. However, these statements were found to be false.

The Anchorage Assembly is considering initiating proceedings under AMC 2.70.030, which would provide Martinez with an independent hearing and full due process, but could ultimately result in his removal from office.

Original reporting: Must Read Alaska (Anchorage) — read the source article.