San Diego

The prosecution’s case in City Councilman Uvaldo Martinez’s preliminary hearing is expected to be completed this afternoon when the last witness testifies.

The hearing, which started a week ago before San Diego Municipal Court Judge Joseph Davis, was recessed early Monday after a little more than an hour of testimony because of the unavailability of some witnesses.

Deputy Dist. Atty. Allan Preckel said one more witness remains to testify this afternoon. If the defense presents no witnesses, a ruling probably will be made on whether to order Martinez to stand trial on 28 counts of misappropriation of public funds and making false accountings of public money.

The charges stem from 21 drink and meal bills Martinez charged to his city-issued credit card between Nov. 1, 1984, and July 24, 1985, on occasions he has said were city business. Some witnesses said little or no city business was discussed and others named as dining with Martinez testified that they didn’t eat with him then.

Laura Utz testified Monday about the July 24, 1985, bar tab that Martinez paid after he met her and two female friends at Dobson’s. She said the conversations were strictly social and she had no business pending with the city.