COTTONWOOD, Ariz. (AP) - The former executive director of the Verde Valley Homeless Coalition has been arrested for allegedly embezzling thousands of dollars from the organization, according to authorities.
Cottonwood police said 48-year-old Matthew Ryan Martin was taken into custody late last week after more than a month of investigating discrepancies in the coalition’s financial statements.
The coalition reported the discrepancies to police at the beginning of September, saying it was believed an employee was stealing money from them.
Police said an investigation found that Martin allegedly embezzled around $14,000 between July and August of 2020.
Martin allegedly used a debit card for the Verde Valley Homeless Coalition that he was given for business purposes and withdrew money.
Police said Martin was booked into the Yavapai County jail Friday on suspicion of fraudulent schemes and artifices, theft and fraudulent use of a credit card.
It was unclear Monday if Martin has a lawyer yet who can speak on his behalf about the case.
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