DENVER (AP) — A man whose hiring led to the resignation of Albuquerque’s school superintendent says he never inappropriately touched two young boys he’s charged with sexually abusing.
Jason Martinez was arrested in the abuse case and later hired in Albuquerque, where school officials never completed a background check on him. The incident led to the resignation of Luis Valentino.
Martinez, a former Denver schools employee, was a longtime friend of the boys’ families. He adopted one boy’s father when he was abandoned as a child.
Martinez testified Tuesday that that boy came to stay with him in Denver in May 2013. He was concerned about the boy’s filthy living conditions back home.
After the visit, the boy told his mother Martinez had abused him. After he made the allegation, the second boy also said Martinez abused him.
