PHOENIX — Former state Mine Inspector Douglas K. Martin pleaded guilty Thursday to a felony conflict of interest charge in a plea arrangement with state prosecutors that also dismissed eight other felony counts, the Arizona Attorney General’s Office announced.
The plea agreement calls for Martin to be placed on probation and that any jail term imposed at sentencing be no more than 30 days.
Martin, 67, was indicted in December, his last month in the office he held since 1988. He faced up to 15 years in prison on charges of theft, fraud and procurement code fraud for disposing of old vehicles and acquiring new ones for his office.
The felony conflict charge he pleaded guilty to Thursday stems from his purchase of a new truck. After his request for a new Ford 4×4 F-150 XLT loaded with options was rejected by Arizona Department of Administration, he went to a dealership, traded in his old state vehicle and leased the truck he wanted, according to the Attorney General.
Martin then sent the monthly lease bills to the state for payment. The actions broke laws that bar public employees from using their jobs to gain anything of value they wouldn’t normally receive.
“This case is part of our ongoing effort to investigate and prosecute official corruption, and I’m glad to see the matter resolved,” Attorney General Terry Goddard said in a statement.
Martin had declared his innocence after his December arraignment, saying a former employee of his office was responsible for the error that led to the charges against him.
Sentencing is set for April 17.