Pima County’s Chief Deputy Treasurer Jake Martin resigned abruptly on Wednesday.
According to Martin, he was asked to resign by Treasurer Jorge Soto. Soto took office in July after former Treasurer Brian Johnson resigned following sexual misconduct allegations from employees.
Martin, who is 23-years-old, said that the investigation into Johnson was exhausting and that he was ready to move on.
“Ultimately, everything that we had experienced, everything that we did, everything that we went through in that position, it took its toll,” Martin said. “And once the new treasurer was ready to bring in his own staff, it coincided with when I was ready to go.”
It was Martin who encouraged former Treasurer Johnson to resign in June months after complaints were filed against him. Prior to his time at the Treasurer’s Office, Martin had worked as CEO of a sexual assault awareness organization — experience which he said helped him handle the situation.
After Johnson left office, Martin acted as treasurer for several weeks prior to Soto’s appointment by the Board of Supervisors. Martin had applied for the permanent position himself.
Martin says he is now actively looking for his next role.
