CORRECTED NEWS RELEASE: Commissioner Alfred Martin arrested
8-9-12 **Click on the News report below to view in full size**
FDLE Official Investigation -
Alfred Martin has been arrested and charged with:
Two counts of felony official misconduct.
Two counts of Grand Theft
*****
Madison County, Florida- August 8, 2012
The Florida Department of Law Enforcement, Office of Executive Investigations, today secured an arrest warrant for Alfred Junior Martin, 52, of Madison, for two counts of grand theft and two counts of official misconduct; each of the charges is a third-degree felony. Martin is a county commissioner for Madison County as well as the fire chief for the city of Madison.
FDLE began its investigation in November of 2011 after receiving a complaint against Martin from an employee of the city of Madison. The complaint alleged that Martin falsified receipts relating to the improper use of funds from the Madison County Volunteer Firemen’s bank account.
The investigation alleges that, on two different occasions, Martin failed to deposit money which had been given to him by Madison County to reimburse the Madison Volunteer Fire Department for expenses it incurred relating to the City of Madison employee luncheons in 2009 and 2010. Total losses to Madison County totaled slightly more than $1000.
Martin was arrested without incident and booked into the Madison County Jail on a bond of $10,000.
I find it hard to believe that people from Madison are so shocked at this. Alfred pays for the city parties with the volunteer account money, his church cook outs, his trips to Destin, Tallahassee and much more. He has been running this county for years. By the way, these are the things Alfred admitted to the investigators. The statements Alfred made are on the website with the OFFICIAL report in PDF from the lead inspector of FDLE. He did it people!!!!
Do you think FDLE and the FBI come to small towns like this for no reason? The $1,000 is all they found for those years they could charge him for. There is a Statute of Limitations to only allow the investigation to go back two years. Alfred has been in this position for eight years. Do you think he just started doing this? No, come on. All these comments from people who know him? I’ m thinking you don’t know him as well as you say you do. Mr. Catron? What are you thinking about? Ask Lee Ann what he has been doing. Funny deposits slips for cash unaccounted for. Go and ask the fire department personnel how many times Alfred gave them a blank check to go and buy something non fire department related with the volunteer m A retirement party for an employee with ten people and Alfred spent $600?
Alfred was making withdraws from the Madison Community Bank for $250, buying his girlfriend in Tallahassee flowers, eating at resturants in Tallahassee on the County of Madisons dollar. He should have never had access to the account in the first place. Volunteer account, not Alfred acccount. Some of you think he didn’t need the money, or why would he do it? $49,000 from City of Madison, $30,000 from the County seat, Money coming in every month from his rental properties and money being make from selling his pigs. Plus his little $20,000 a year volunteer account that he and only he had access too.
So who used the money? Alfred, and not becausse he is black. That has nothing to do with it. He broke the law, you all know it and there is no need in waiting. Alfred admitted it to the inspector.
To Truth, Just me, and Ol’ Boy. AMEN!!! from someone who is able to see beneath the outer layer. The cover does not always tell you what’s in the book. There is no room for a politician in a position as sensitive and important as Fire Chief. Talk to the many good firefighters, paid and volunteer, that have left the department because of this man. Talk to the firefighters that were put in jeopardy at fire scenes be cause of this man and escaped serious injury only by sheer luck. There is no room in Emergency Services for someone who thinks more of himself than the people he serves. Nuff Said.
Yea, he makes a lot of money and $1000 isnt that much so we should just let this slide….that makes sense. Also he’s a real nice black man and we dont want to upset people so lets allow him to continue to steal. “Rich” people steal just like the poor ones. Thank God we have the FDLE or else every person who feels “entitled” (large portion or our county) would continue to take kickbacks, steal votes, and steal money…
So I go and rob a bank and I’m only able to get $1000….wrong is wrong. It’s still theft! And I think some of you need to get your facts straight before commenting and posting on Madison Voice and Facebook.
$1,000.00 is small change compared to the city and county equipment that Mr. Martin has taken and used for his personal use. He should have lots of money, he never buys any tools, he just takes from the fire department. He’s stolen time for years, paid by the city while he ignores that job to take care of county commission business. He’s stolen the honor and integrity from a fire department with his greed, deceit and nasty ways, all the while as commissioners, managers and clerks and fellow politicians have looked on and allowed it to happen. People can deny or debate, but these are the facts and truth, and Mr. Martin knows its true. While his supporters defend him, he refers to them as ignorant.
Alfred is a good hard working man. He was there for me as a friend when I got robbed working in a convenience store. I have known him for over 25 yrs. Let all the facts come out before jumping to conclusions.
Please give John Ovenden a break from editing comments. He is giving us a privilege of reading a good, unbiased newspaper at no charge. Now he can’t report more news because he is too busy editing these. Read the rules and abide by them before you post. Thanks John.
You didn’t work 4 jobs 7 days a week for 30 years just to take 1000 from the City. As a few know this goes a little bit deeper than that, but always know God gives the toughest battle to his strongest soldiers! I agree with you bubblegum:)
Seem like also there will be an Irs personal audit in the procedings
Please stay on subject knuckle heads. This has been on going local law enforcement had a conflict of interest. All 8a years of his command will be supeoned. All records everything. Maybe thats why 1000is dollars is chump change as stated in early post. He only makes 60,000 a year between the two poistions. What is chump change high rollers i make more than that.
A investigation from 2009 up until 2012 and all they can come up with was a measly $1000 dollars.. It dosen’t make sense at all!!
it does not make sense, $1,000 dollars??? that really isn’t enough money for him to have risked his position(s) over. Could have happened — but seems odd. Heck with a $10,000 bond he’ll have to pay $1,000 to get out of jail —was that supposed to be funny? He’s a good guy
Wow !!!!!!
@ Taxpayer:
Yes they will, this website had the FDLE investigate me over a post — they accused me of building bombs — rather serious accusation — and no i didn’t threaten anyone….choose your words carefully when posting here.
@Jim Catron,
Sorry I missed your reference. I do not normally read posts of this nature. I am never surprised when things are reported that are orchestrated to divide our community.
$1k is reported as missing. My goodness, how can this be an issue when billions are missing throughout the larger system? Think about it. How much was spent investigating this? We peasants are always tricked into and encouraged to fight each other, while the real thieves get away with everything.
I just hope I can hold off the looters long enough for the local warlord to restore order.
Alfred good man. Who gone drive ladder truck if he not there.
Omg! Who “ATE” the nurses credentials?! Lol
Can I just say, right is right and wrong is wrong ……period . No matter your race, Now these volunteer fire persons do a service for our County unpaid and put their lives in danger and they are being stolen from-come on now…..
And how do you do this and be back on the job the next day-please
I would like to ask the question why didn’t the city pay for the city employees luncheon? Why did it come from the volunteer fireman’s fund and then had to be re-imbursed from the county?
@white male:
I’m just curious…..
Who, exactly, are the “they” to whom you refer?
It’s funny how they always think that the reason they get in trouble is because their black…..come on ain’t it bout time to cry out some different excuses
THANK YOU FOR YOUR COMMENT TAXPAYER!!
It’s all george bush’s fault!
Awesome Integrity????? If this isn’t a conflict of interest between the City and the County then what is. When the County does budgets for fire departments, the City of Madison is always given special consideration. Why? Because the County Commissioner/Fire Chief votes yes on the appropriations instead of Abstaining from the issue.
In response to what Neighbor said, Greenville had a meeting this week and only one city council member voted to turn investigation over to law enforcement. The other three M,M, and M would not second the motion. Ex City Clerk even made an appearance at the meeting. Come on. Get real.
Hey Neighbor, I agree with you completely. I have known Alfred Martin for approximately 12 years, in my eyes he is a honest guy with integrity. Please find out the facts before you judge him. My prayers are with you.
I love how ignorant some people are! It amazes me that some people think the FLDE would just on down to Madison and arrest people without any evidence! I promise if the FDLE is involved, there’s more to it than rumors. And to whoever said the volunteers turned him in, that’s not true at all. It was within his own department!
I’ve never met the man, so I don’t have a dog in this fight. This sounds very similar to another recent drama playing itself out.
If it turns out he’s innocent, he’s owed an appology, and maybe defense costs; if he’s guilty, he needs the consequences. Good people can do bad things; bad people can do good things, life is messy that way. Thank God, there’s a God who can sort it all out.
The point is, we need to let this play out at all levils; and in the end, accept the facts as facts, warts & all. Sometimes a cigar is just a cigar.
Another black man bites the dust. Why does the law not apply to everyone who misappropriate funds. Why hasn’t the city employee in Greenville not yet been investigated and arrested for embezzlement? Her certainly is a white collar crime. Just because she admits she takes full responsibility for it does not excuse the fact that a crime has been committed. Nowhere else but Madison County!!! I pray for you Alfred. May your day in court go well.
The chain of command was not put in place by martin do to lack of experience. I know this personally. This is the result. Backwarks politics got him in trouble.
I agree with both kottypine and jj. Is this a first? Perhaps the Peasant will even agree.
It’s hard for a black male these days even if there ate credentials behind you’re name..I’m aNurse and still getcriticized..But guess, YES WE CAN AND WILL
Give the man his day in court .
Mr. Catron is right but fdle has job to do. Not much money but this has been going some time. Every aspect of his place is in question
Knock me over with a spoon! I have known Alfred in different professional capacities over the past five years primarily as a level headed county commissioner. The news today shocked me, took my breath away actually. I do not see this man doing this, a thousand bucks is chump change for a man like him. Let all the cards fall folks before you pass judgement. I believe if nothing else, Alfred has earned his day in court. Personally I am giving the man the benefit of the doubt, and I’m going to make sure he knows it. Pray for Madison County.
Let the process work. Wait until the facts are known before jumping to a conclusion. Under our system of law a man (or woman) should be presumed innocent until proven guilty.
Matthew 7:1 “Do not judge, so that you may not be judged. For with the judgement you make you will be judged, and the measure you give will be the measure you get.”
John 8 is relevant. “relicti sunt duo; misera et Misericordia.”
We have a process. Let it work.
It’s really ashame how you people get on here an convict and sentence someone before you hear all the facts.
Damn Madison! and all its hating people who live here , Im moving to Miami!
1. If you like drama your in the right County, welcome to Madison
2. If you like competing against the next man to see who got more , welcome to Madison
3. if you like rushing to Dollar General to get some kool- aid before 10pm( after 10 everything is closed) , welcome to Madison
4. if you like driving 30 plus miles to buy liquor and get a DUI on your way home, welcome to Madison
5. if you like racism , welcome to Madison
6. The list goes on and on …….. Welcome to Madison home of the 1960 living
7. While other counties are building and progressing , Madison is building a new pawn shop Wow!
There should be more charges coming since there was and is a conflct of interest in both positions.
Alfred know that this is a bunch of BS. Theirs alots of people in this county that is jealous of Alfred and is jealous of what he has accomplished. You all may as well try something else, even a dummy can see through this. Keep your head up alfred.
Was he arrested on charges from city employment or county commish?
Well, there has to be more to this story that is not being told. Alfred is a good man and someone is trying to slander him. Alfred is a man of means and didn’t need the piddly $1,000. Come on folks get the complete story before tar and feathering him. Lands O’ Live, Sounds like a disgruntled Volunteer Fireman started this crap.
There may be a reason, there might even be a good excuse. Some money is missing somewhere the answers will be forth coming.
I my mind the idea that someone would steal my vote is far worse.
Taking away a persons right to vote in any manner denial or thief is totally Un-American.
My favorite aspect of government employment is the extended vacations with pay that government workers get when they screw it up.
Screw up in the real world and you get fired.
In my mind too much government , too many government employees and way to much regulation. Abolish the EPA, the department of Energy and fire one half of all other government workers period.
It wont be long before the race card is used.
I can’t wait to see how the naacp spins this one.
Bout freakin time!!! Only the tip of the iceburg with THIS DUDE anyway! Guess the Gov will be pulling another one of our leaders with such awesome integrity:) This is sickening…hope the city doesn’t drop the ball on this one as they did with another fire dept employee waiting trial for a felony for voter fraud…think he’s still working for our city….sad:(
This has been a long time coming. It’s about time he got caught.
Couldn’t have happened to a nicer person!!!!!
Wow!!! Only the tip of the iceburg in Madison County