From City Room:
In a terse one-sentence letter to city officials today, City
Councilman Miguel Martinez submitted his letter of resignation,
effective immediately. The resignation comes as federal prosecutors in
Manhattan are preparing to file charges against him stemming from an
investigation into a nonprofit group he funded in northern Manhattan,
according to people familiar with the investigation. The charges are
expected to be filed as early as this week.
The non-profit in question is Upper Manhattan Council Assisting Neighbors (UCAN), a group the Post says "no longer exists."
Manhattan Times, along with the Post, is reporting that the resignation is part of a deal to keep Martinez out of jail:
Martinez was considered the front-runner in a nine-person race for
Council District 10, which roughly encompasses the east side of
Washington Heights and Inwood as well as Marble Hill in the Bronx. His
opponents include a formerly staunch ally, Manny Velazquez who chairs
Community Board 12, and a long-time opponent, Ydanis Rodriguez, who
lost races to Martinez in 2001 and 2003. Also on September's primary
ballot is Ruben Dario Vargas, Martinez' lone Democratic challenger in
2005.
MT says it is unclear at this point what will become of the seat vacated by Martinez. Here's more on some of Martinez's would-be successors in District 10, including Rodriguez.
Related on Inwoodite:
• Martinez Directed Cash to Sister's NGO
• Martinez Fined for Campaign Violations
• Martinez Will Appeal Campaign Violation