Suspended Bellevue superintendent charged with falsification

1/30/2010

BELLEVUE — The superintendent of Bellevue City Schools, who has been suspended since July for sexual harassment allegations, has been charged with falsifying mileage reimbursement forms for more than $900.

William "Bud" Martin, 52, of Olmsted Falls, has been charged with five counts of falsification, according to the Bellevue police department.

Nancy Beier, treasurer of the school district, filed a complaint with police in October alleging Mr. Martin, while superintendent of the district, submitted requests for mileage reimbursement for travel that was not official business or never happened, police said.

The special investigations unit of Ohio Auditor Mary Taylor's office investigated the allegations and issued findings for recovery against Mr. Martin for $909.

The audit was released Thursday and the falsification charges were filed against Mr. Martin on Friday.

The five counts of falsification relate to five separate monthly mileage forms Mr. Martin submitted for mileage that was either personal or didn't occur, but he received payment for, police said.

The charges were filed in Bellevue Municipal Court. Falsification is a first degree misdemeanor that carries a penalty of up to six months in jail and a $1,000 fine.

The criminal charges are filed at a time when Mr. Martin is fighting for his job as superintendent of the school district.

Mr. Martin remains on unpaid suspension after he was accused of sexually harassing staff members. He was suspended with pay on July 9 and then suspended without pay on July 15 by the school board, which planned to move toward termination.

Mr. Martin recently won an appeal to the Ohio Department of Education when a hearing officer concluded he did not sexually harass staff members and shouldn't be fired.

The school board has made no decision on that decision, Bellevue school board president Ted Clark said.

He declined to comment further and directed questions to acting Superintendent Kim Schubert who could not be reached for comment.

Mr. Martin's assistant, Darrell Hykes, faced similar accusations of sexual harassment and a separate hearing officer concluded in December the board was justified in firing him. He was formally terminated Dec. 17.

A finding for recovery by the state auditor's office also was issued against Mr. Hykes for $289 that was reimbursed to him for travel expenses that did not occur, according to the audit.