Mark Eric Martinez

On July 15, 2024, the Cottage Grove Police Department received a report from the Interim Executive Director of the South Washington County Telecommunications Commission (SWTCT) regarding a theft from the organization by a former employee. On July 16, 2024, Cottage Grove law enforcement met with the new Interim Executive Director, regarding the organization located in Cottage Grove, Washington County, Minnesota. The following information was provided. The former Executive Director, Mark Eric Martinez, [DOB REDACTED], Defendant herein, was in that position from January 6, 2017, to December 31, 2023, and had signed an employment agreement on November 16, 2016. While Defendant was employed by SWCTC, he opened a credit card to be used for SWCTC purposes.

Defendant also added another SWCTC employee as an authorized user on the account but they both maintained their own credit card. A review of the SWCTC credit card policy shows that, "Documentation detailing the goods and services purchased with SWCTC credit cards shall be required for all transactions." "Employees to whom credit cards are issued for SWCTC purchases must receive written approval from the Executive Director for purchases over $5,000." and "Each credit card issued for SWCTC purchases is subject to a maximum payments cycle dollar amount of $20,000. No purchase shall exceed this amount on a single credit card in one payment cycle." Upon leaving SWCTC, Defendant turned in his physical credit card, but the account could not be closed because Defendant was the only account holder.

The new Interim Executive Director found in March 2024; Defendant made purchases were not for business but had been paid by SWCTC at the end of the credit card billing cycle. On July 24, 2024, search warrants were obtained for several businesses at which Defendant made purchases with his SWCTC credit card. Based on a review of the information obtained, Defendant made a total of $35,166.50 in purchases on the SWCTC credit card that were not for SWCTC use. On October 2, 2024, the new Interim Executive Director provided law enforcement with a list of items Defendant has in his home office that belong to SWCTC that, "remained in possession of a number of items that belong to the Commission" and that "there was no discussion as to the timing and return of these items." The new Interim Executive Director went through the list provided by Defendant and noted that they were purchases made by Defendant with his SWCTC credit card and that they did not have any legitimate use at the SWCTC. Defendant was allowed to retain possession of a laptop.

But the new Interim Executive Director said that some of the items outlined in the list were not unique enough to know if they were or were not in the Commission's possession. On September 25, 2025, Defendant was interviewed by law enforcement. Defendant said the SWCTC credit card policy was already in place when he was hired. Defendant said he was able to purchase items 2 ••-CR-••-•••• Filed in District Court State of Minnesota 12/22/2025 up to $5,000 and then later that limit was increased to $20,000 to be in line with state statute.