Staying with the story
The Springfield News-Sun first broke the news of former Tecumseh Superintendent Brad Martin’s thefts in December and has provided unmatched coverage, including stories digging into gambling addictions and detailing his falsified mileage reimbursements.
By the numbers
$44,830: Money Brad Martin was ordered to pay back to Tecumseh Local Schools
6: Months in the Clark County Jail
5: Years of probation
500: Hours of community service
By the numbers
$44,830: Money Brad Martin was ordered to pay back to Tecumseh Local Schools
6: Months in the Clark County Jail
5: Years of probation
500: Hours of community service
Former Tecumseh Superintendent Brad Martin will serve six months in jail and five years probation for stealing from the school district and going to casinos on work time.
Martin spoke publicly for the first time in a packed courtroom Thursday, admitting he has a gambling addiction and said he regrets all the adverse effects caused by his actions.
“I am ashamed that I allowed gambling to take over my life,” Martin said, adding that his main focus is on doing what’s right for his wife and sons.
Martin pleaded guilty on April 29 to felony charges of theft in office, tampering with records and forgery. He admitted to spending more than 300 hours at casinos during work hours, falsifying mileage, sick and personal leave forms, forging checks, stealing cash and otherwise deceiving the district out of thousands over a two-year period.
Judge Richard O’Neill also ordered Martin to pay back more than $44,000 from his state retirement fund and more than $9,600 for the cost of a special state audit ordered by the prosecution.
Reactions to the sentence were mixed Thursday, with some saying he should have gotten prison time, and others expressing relief that justice has finally been served.
“I’m glad to see him doing time,” said Todd Ridge, one of Martin’s victims. He’s a custodian at Tecumseh High School whom Martin falsely accused of stealing $2,400 from a safe.
Assistant Superintendent Paula Crew, who took over as leader of the district during the lengthy investigation that started last year, said she felt the sentence was just.
“It is with immense relief that we are finally able to have closure on this ordeal,” Crew said, reading a statement on behalf of Tecumseh Local Schools.
Many in the courtroom, including district Treasurer Debra Schock, said they were initially disappointed when the judge announced the probation sentence. After explaining numerous community control sanctions Martin would be subject to, O’Neill then said he didn’t feel those were enough and added the jail time.
“It’s better than none,” Schock said.
O’Neill also imposed numerous sanctions as part of Martin’s probation.
He must abstain from all drugs and alcohol and submit to random testing, continue to attend gambling addiction treatment he’s been doing, as well as treatment for depression. He must also log 500 hours of community service, including speaking to students and other groups about the dangers of gambling.
Martin has already placed himself on the lifetime ban list from Ohio’s casinos, the coordinator of his addiction program testified. If he’s caught in a casino, his winnings will be confiscated and he will be arrested for trespassing. It would also violate his probation.
“I’m just glad it’s over,” school board member Kurt Lewis said.
The school board members pushed for more than just probation.
“The victims, the seriousness of the crimes committed and the damage caused warrants a penalty more severe than community control,” board member Dan Studebaker testified.
More than 25 staff members were victimized by Martin, he said, from those like Ridge who endured false accusations to several employees whose signatures were forged to workers who gave money to Martin under the pretense that he was buying technology for students.
“He put these individuals in legal jeopardy by his actions,” Studebaker said.
The maximum sentence he could have received was seven years in prison and more than $20,000 in fines, in addition to paying back the public and private money he stole.
Restitution was necessary to restore the schools missing money, but wasn’t enough to punish Martin for his crimes, Clark County Prosecutor Andrew Wilson argued.
The shame and embarrassment felt by Martin, and even the loss of his job and standing in the community, don’t constitute punishment, Wilson said, because that’s simply the natural consequences of his actions.
Defense attorney James Ambrose countered that justice could be served through probation and pointed to Martin’s service to the community and lack of previous criminal record.
“Sometimes good people stray,” Ambrose said.
He asked the court to consider how a man like Martin could all of a sudden commit multiple felonies.
“He is the result of the addiction,” Ambrose said.
Ambrose argued that prison time wouldn’t foster Martin’s recovery from pathological gambling addiction and depression. He called on Bruce Jones, coordinator of One More Chance at Maryhaven, to testify about the progress Martin made since seeking treatment there.
“He’s made major life changes,” Jones said. “He’s shown to me that he’s deeply sorry for what he’s done.”
Martin has attended 21 treatment sessions since December and initially went to in-patient treatment over the Christmas holiday, his lawyer said.
If Martin violates any of the terms of his probation, he will face a full sentence of six years in prison, O’Neill said.
Community members like, Patricia Baker, whose children attended Tecumseh schools, said it’s a shame someone in Martin’s position of trust abused their power.
“Kids look up to teachers and mentors like that and the kids will lose faith and trust in the people who run their school,” Baker said.
Staff Writer Allison Wichie contributed to this report.
About the Author