Former Councilman Gartman Charged with Stealing Parade Funds

The Santa Clara County District Attorney’s office has arrested and charged former Gilroy City Councilman Craig Gartman on Thuesday with one count of felony grand theft of funds from the city’s private 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.

There was no answer at Gartman's Gilroy home, nor his cell phone, on Thursday.

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.