A former executive director of a South Washington County Telecommunications Commission (SWCTC) is facing a felony theft charge after investigators alleged he made tens of thousands of dollars in unauthorized purchases using a corporate credit card.
According to a criminal complaint filed in Washington County District Court, Mark Martinez, 58, is charged with one count of theft by diverting corporate property, a felony punishable by up to 10 years in prison and a $20,000 fine.
The charge alleges Martinez used funds belonging to SWCTC without consent and with intent to permanently deprive the Cottage Grove-based organization of the property. The alleged offense occurred “on or about July 16, 2024.”
The Cottage Grove Police Department began investigating after the SWCTC interim executive director reported a theft in July 2024.
Martinez served as SWCTC’s executive director from January 2017 through December 2023. The commission provides public access video coverage for Woodbury and several other communities in South Washington County.
The complaint states Martinez opened a credit card for SWCTC business use that was subject to internal policies requiring documentation for all purchases, written approval from the executive director for purchases exceeding $5,000, and a maximum spending limit of $20,000 per payment cycle. The complaint also alleges Martinez added another SWCTC employee as an authorized user on the account, though each maintained their own card. Investigators say that after Martinez left the organization, the account could not be closed because he was the sole account holder.
A review of records and search warrants executed at several businesses showed Martinez allegedly made $35,166.50 in purchases that were not for SWCTC use. The complaint also alleges some organization-owned items remained in Martinez’s possession.
A representative for the South Washington County Telecommunications Commission had not responded to a request for comment as of publication.
Martinez was interviewed by law enforcement in September 2025 and denied wrongdoing, saying many purchases were made for future organizational needs.
