NY Times - Councilman Quits, One Step Ahead of Criminal Charges
City Councilman Miguel Martinez resigned abruptly on Tuesday as federal prosecutors, who are investigating a nonprofit group to which he directed city funds, filled a notice that they were prepared to file criminal charges against him.
...In March, investigators raided the offices of the Upper Manhattan Council Assisting Neighbors, a group founded in 1998 to help small businesses and underserved immigrant and Latino populations in Washington Heights and Inwood.
It received little city support until 2006, after Mr. Martinez’s sister, Maria, joined the board in an unpaid position. Since then, it has received more than $1.4 million in City Council funds, including more than $400,000 sponsored directly by Mr. Martinez, according to Council records.
