Crime & Safety

Gartman's Defense Receives Second Extension to Examine Evidence

The former Gilroy city councilman pleaded not guilty in June to federal grand theft of funds from the Memorial Day Committee .

The defense attorney in the case against former Gilroy City Councilman Craig Gartman received approval from the court Friday to postpone the next hearing in the case until Sept. 27.

The extension followed a similar request made after Gartman pleaded not guilty in June. Kirk Elliott, who represents Gartman in the case, appeared in place of his client and said that he needed time for “additional discovery.”

“I may need to hire a forensic accountant,” Elliott said.

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Gartman, 53, is charged with federal grand theft for allegedly stealing more than $8,000 from Gilroy’s privately run Memorial Day Parade committee while serving as its chairman from 2002–08. The charge is punishable by up to three years in state prison.

The extra time would allow for a thorough examining of approximately 1,000 pages of documents related to Gartman’s use of funds from the committee, Elliott said. That investigation might include the recruitment of a specialist.

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“It’s a paper-intensive case,” he said.

While serving as the committee chairman, Gartman had access to the account used to purchase various items needed for the parade, according to court documents.

The Santa Clara County District Attorney’s office has been looking into the former councilman’s involvement since 2009, examining claims that he used funds for his own benefit and failed to share information on the parade’s accounts with fellow committee members.

“There are significant issues regarding if a crime occurred in this case,” Elliott said.

Deputy District Attorney John Chase, the prosecutor in the case, had no objections to the extension. Judge JoAnne McCrackin presided.

Gartmen turned himself in June 2 and was released the same day after posting $10,000 bail, according to the district attorney’s office. Judge McCrackin returned the bail to Gartmen on June 21, releasing him on his own recognizance.


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