NEW YORK—The 10th City District Council seat is now vacant following the resignation of City Council Member Miguel Martinez.
Martinez resigned in the face of possible criminal charges for redirecting funds towards the nonprofit organization Upper Manhattan Council Assisting Neighbors (UCAN), according to the New York Times.
Mayor Bloomberg responded to the resignation in a statement, saying that, “as far as I know, Martinez has not been convicted of anything or pleaded guilty to anything so I don’t know exactly what happened there.”
The Mayor said that Council Speaker Christine C. Quinn will ensure that public services continue in the 10th district since there are less than 90 days until the primary.
In her press statement, Quinn said, “This is a sad day for the City Council, for the 10th Council district and for the City of New York. The Council and I take this matter very seriously and we will continue to be fully cooperative with authorities.”
Martinez a democrat, has served as 10th District Council Member since 2002 according to his blog. According to city government records, Martinez allotted $125,000 in 2008, and $335,000 in 2009, to UCAN.
The New York Times reports that Martinez’s sister Maria became an unpaid board member at UCAN in 2006. Before 2006 the organization received very little funding form the City.
UCAN, founded in 1998, operates in Washington Heights, Inwood, and Marble Hill. Its programs focus on community and small business development, with a focus on Latino and other underserved communities.
The UCAN phone line is currently out of service and organization could not be reached for comment.
Martinez resigned in the face of possible criminal charges for redirecting funds towards the nonprofit organization Upper Manhattan Council Assisting Neighbors (UCAN), according to the New York Times.
Mayor Bloomberg responded to the resignation in a statement, saying that, “as far as I know, Martinez has not been convicted of anything or pleaded guilty to anything so I don’t know exactly what happened there.”
The Mayor said that Council Speaker Christine C. Quinn will ensure that public services continue in the 10th district since there are less than 90 days until the primary.
In her press statement, Quinn said, “This is a sad day for the City Council, for the 10th Council district and for the City of New York. The Council and I take this matter very seriously and we will continue to be fully cooperative with authorities.”
Martinez a democrat, has served as 10th District Council Member since 2002 according to his blog. According to city government records, Martinez allotted $125,000 in 2008, and $335,000 in 2009, to UCAN.
The New York Times reports that Martinez’s sister Maria became an unpaid board member at UCAN in 2006. Before 2006 the organization received very little funding form the City.
UCAN, founded in 1998, operates in Washington Heights, Inwood, and Marble Hill. Its programs focus on community and small business development, with a focus on Latino and other underserved communities.
The UCAN phone line is currently out of service and organization could not be reached for comment.