After being arrested for stealing coins from University parking meters, Orion Martin, a former Department of Public Safety meter attendant, pleaded guilty to charges of official misconduct and attempted possession of methamphetamine on July 26, according to court records.
Martin was sentenced to 18 months probation, repaying $2,000, 100 hours of community service, and drug treatment.
Martin was hired in 2004 as a custodian. He then transferred to DPS five months later, according to Frances Dyke, the University’s chief financial officer and vice president for finance and administration. Martin was terminated in February 2007.
On Dec. 13, 2006, a key that opens half of all the University’s parking meters went missing. Yellow hoods were placed over many of the University meters. DPS started an extensive search, and the Eugene Police Department opened an investigation.
On Dec. 15, Martin was sighted emptying University meters near the intersection of 11th Avenue and Kincaid Street in his street clothes and driving away. A review of video records showed Martin stealing the coins.
In an attempt to regain the meter key, EPD drove to Martin’s house and questioned him – offering him an ultimatum agreed upon by the University. Martin replied, “I’d rather go to jail,” according to investigating officer, Chris White.
Martin was arrested for official misconduct. When police searched him, they found marijuana, hash, methamphetamine and a pipe.
In statements taken by EPD, Martin’s ex-wife said she divorced him because of his drug habit and because he was stealing thousands of dollars from the University. She said he was stealing hundreds of dollars a week.
In response to the theft, DPS implemented several new policies, including more frequent collections and additional patrol of parking meter activity by campus public safety officers.
In addition, two employees are now required to be present during the emptying of meters, instead of just one. DPS is also developing “a broad strategic plan to streamline and enhance parking activities,” according to Frances Dyke.
DPS has been remodeling its collection system since an audit by the Oregon University System found tens of thousands of dollars missing.
At the time, DPS accounting records did not contain enough information to determine if the discrepancy was caused by theft, loss or simply more OUS employees choosing payroll deductions to pay for parking permits, according to the audit memorandum.
The audit also criticized the lack of DPS staff training on how to handle and log the cash, check and credit card portion of the approximately $1.5 million DPS collects from parking tickets, parking passes and meter money.
Dyke requested the audit because she had concerns about cash-handling operations and wanted to “determine if a financial loss occurred,” according to a 2005 memo. She ordered the audit after the University’s Business Affairs Office informed her there had not been a regular deposit from DPS.
Trevor Davis contributed to
this story