Head of training at DPS arrested for allegedly falsifying qualifications to get promoted

HONOLULU (HawaiiNewsNow) – A state worker who oversaw the coaching of hundreds of state legislation enforcement officers has been arrested for allegedly falsifying information to get promoted.

J. Marte Martinez, head of teaching at the condition Office of Community Protection, has confronted scrutiny for yrs about her skills. HNN claimed on her questionable resume and faculty transcripts in 2019.

Martinez was hired by DPS in September 2014 and sophisticated speedily inside the section.

Each individual time, she had to post new paperwork throughout the promotions process.

Hawaii News Now acquired all those documents in 2019 and found questionable info pertaining to her schooling and encounter.

One of her resumes listed a bachelor’s degree from Southern Oregon University. But in an electronic mail, the school’s enrollment business reported there was no file of her having that degree.

Martinez is charged with two counts of perjury, a felony criminal offense, for her testimony just before the Hawaii Labor Relations Board in December 2019.

Hawaii News Now cameras recorded the listening to in which Martinez, underneath oath, answered inquiries with regards to her instruction and school transcripts.

On online video she also claimed to have levels from El Dorado College or university, a college or university she referred to as NOVA, or Northern Virginia University.

Questioning her at that listening to was attorney Ted Hong, who represented a fired prison guard. Hong reported the guard was not effectively skilled due to the fact Martinez was not competent.

Hong claimed Martinez’s arrest Thursday displays on the earlier management at the Department of Community Security under then Director Nolan Espinda.

“Had they accomplished what they were intended to do, in conditions of because of diligence with regard to her credentials, experienced they carried out that, we would not be below,” Hong reported.

Espinda retired out of the blue, just one year into a new term in Oct 2020.

Martinez is also billed with tampering with a federal government report and lying to authorities.

In a assertion, the present DPS Director Max Otani reported, “The Office of General public Safety holds their staff members irrespective of rank or title to the highest normal of integrity and will hold them accountable if they breach the public’s belief.”

Martinez’s lawyer, Myles Breiner, reported his consumer was aware of the investigation 3 a long time in the past and said she offered cooperation.

“Offered to offer polygraph statements, made available meetings, all that was rejected by the point out,” reported Breiner, who was not pleased that the brokers with the Lawyer General’s place of work arrested her at her business.

Breiner reported she was willing to self-surrender but they have been by no means presented the solution.

He included they will battle the expenses. Martinez is totally free soon after submitting $11,000 bail.

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