Martinez was a fixture with the Northern Manhattan Democrats for Change political club, which he helped found and led with New York State Assembly member Adriano Espaillat.
Martinez represented the 10th district of the New York City Council, which includes parts of Washington Heights and Inwood sections of upper Manhattan.
He served as a Council member for six years while chairing the Fire and Criminal Justice Services Committee.
[3] He resigned abruptly from his city council seat on July 14, 2009 and pleaded guilty to three counts of conspiracy two days later.
Martinez admitted to stealing $106,000 that was for children's art programs and low-income housing.