San Diego

The first prosecution witnesses testified Tuesday in the preliminary hearing of San Diego City Councilman Uvaldo Martinez, who is charged with 28 counts of misappropriating public funds and falsifying records in connection with a city-issued credit card.

Charlotte Sharpe, secretary to county Supervisor Susan Golding, testified that while drinking at Dobson’s restaurant on April 23, 1985, Martinez made lewd facial and hand gestures toward Sharpe and two other women, causing one of them to leave early. Sharpe said Martinez used his city credit card to pay the more than $400 bar and dinner tab for himself and seven companions.

Later, one of Martinez’s aides, Rudy Murillo, paid off that tab using funds from the “No on Proposition A Campaign,” according to “No on A” Treasurer Bob Miller, who also attended the Dobson’s party. Martinez is charged with attempting to misappropriate public funds in connection with that party.

Deputy Dist. Atty. Allan Preckel called city Auditor and Comptroller Ed Ryan to the witness stand to describe bookkeeping procedures relating to credit card use by elected officials and city employees. Preckel seeks to prove that Martinez entertained personal friends over cocktails, at lunch and dinner, then paid using his city-issued Visa card on the pretense that official city business was discussed.

Ryan conceded under cross-examination by defense attorney Jerry Coughlan that the terms “official” and “city business” are not defined by any city policy relative to credit card use.

The city’s accounting division manager, Joe Lozano, also testified, and the hearing will continue today before San Diego Municipal Court Judge Joseph Davis.