Arraignment Scheduled for Gartman

The former Gilroy city councilman charged with stealing funds from the city’s Memorial Day Parade committee will be in court for his arraignment June 21, according to district attorney spokeswoman Amy Cornell.

The department for the Craig Gartman's hearing is yet to be determined. Deputy District Attorney John Chase is assigned to the case.

Gartman turned himself in last Thursday after the charge of a single count of felony grant theft of funds form the city’s privately run Memorial Day Parade committee, which he headed from 2002-08, according to court documents.

Gartman, 53, allegedly took more than $8,000 in parade donations for his own personal benefit, according to the district attorney’s office.

The former councilman headed fundraising efforts for the committee, which changed its composition in 2009, and had primary control of its finances.

Investigators from the DA's office have been looking into Gartman's involvement in the committee since 2009, examining claims that he misused funds and failed to share information on the parade's accounts with fellow committee members, according to court documents.

Gartman was arrested and released Thursday after posting $10,000 bail, according to the district attorney.

The charge is punishable by up to three years in state prison.