Former Roosevelt Island Operating Corp Vice President Of Operations Pleads Guilty To Filing False Payroll Records With Intent To Defraud RIOC

 Image of former RIOC VP Of Operations Fernando Martinez (center) at 11/15/12 Ops Committee

Former Roosevelt Island Operating Corp (RIOC) Vice President Of Operations Fernando Martinez plead guilty today to a felony of Offering a False Instrument for Filing in the First Degree.

Here's what is known at this time.

At the end of last night's Roosevelt Island Residents Association (RIRA) Public Safety Committee meeting, I asked Manhattan District Attorney's Office Community Affairs Coordinator Denise Liriano about the status of the NY State Inspector General (IG) investigations into RIOC. Ms. Liriano replied that as a result of the IG's investigation, Mr. Martinez had been arrested. Ms. Liriano added:

Fernando Martinez was arraigned on January 14, 2014 on a charge of Offering a False Instrument for Filing in the First Degree for offering falsified payroll records to the Roosevelt Island Operating Corporation. Martinez plead not guilty and was remanded. The case was adjourned to January 23, 2014 and there should be an outcome shortly.

Earlier today, the Manhattan District Attorney's Press Spokesperson reported that Mr. Martinez:

...pleaded guilty today, and his sentencing is scheduled for February 20.

According to the Complaint submitted by the Manhattan District Attorney's Office:

Statutory Language - the defendant, knowing that a written instrument contained false information and with intent to defraud the state and a subdivision thereof presented it to a public office believing that it would become a part of the records of such office.

Complaint Language - I am informed by Defendant that on October 1, 2010, Defendant, acting in concert with Javier Ramos, caused to be filed the certified payroll records of Bright Cleaning Solutions, Inc., with the Roosevelt Island Operating Corporation, Inc., (the "RIOC")(a public office) located at 591 Main Street, New York, New York 10044, that he knew contained false information, with intent to defraud the RIOC, knowing that it would be registered with and become part of the records of the RIOC.

Mr. Martinez resigned effective December 21 from RIOC.

UPDATE 1/24 - I asked RIOC President Charlene Indelicato and the RIOC Board of Directors for comment about this matter yesterday. Have not received a reply yet.

In reply to my inquiry, former RIOC President Steve Shane wrote:

The event occurred after my tenure so I have no knowledge of what was involved. I presume the allocution accompanying the guilty plea would contain the details.

I always preached the Caesar's wife standard and never had any reason to doubt Fernando's loyalty, dedication or integrity.

I am sad for him and his family.

Mr. Shane added:

In reading the comments, the record should be clear that Fernando had absolutely nothing to do with the hiring of Keith Guerra. After rating and ranking the many resumes that were submitted in response to the public advertisement, a committee of Board members held face to face interviews and made the selection of Keith, who after checking his references, was duly hired.