From a report earlier in the week, and according to court records, a former House District 40 representative has pled guilty to a misconduct charge.

Rick Martin pled guilty on Tuesday to unlawful communication by a cell phone.  He had additional charges: one for misconduct in office and another with respect to contributing to the delinquency of a minor.   Both of those charges were dismissed.

Martin was charged in December 2021 for reportedly using his position to threaten cuts to the Department of Social Services budget, and to fire Michael Leach (Department of Social Services director at the time).

He (Martin) was charged in December 2021 for allegedly providing alcohol to his 16-year-old foster daughter .  A separate incident involved law enforcement being called to his residence. The Department of Social Services removed all of the children from his home.

According to the court records, Martin has been sentenced to 30 days in prison.  This apparently to be suspended after he completes an anger management course.  He is also required to pay his court costs within a 30-day period.