Hunter
06/26/25
A state auditor’s investigation has led to charges being filed against the city of Conesville’s former City Clerk.
33-year-old Yamira Martinez was in charge of the city’s books from July 2022 to April 2024. State Auditor Rob Sand released findings of his office’s investigation on Tuesday, and showed Martinez was using city funds for personal shopping on the city debit card, issuing improper payroll checks for herself and taking water-sewer revenue that never reached the bank.
Sand said losses included about $66,000 in payments the city never should have made and almost $54,000 in utility revenue that was either unbilled or uncollected.
The audit found 24 checks Martinez allegedly wrote to herself outside the normal pay cycle, worth about $40,000. She reportedly admitted during interviews that the checks were unauthorized and she used the money for her children. Debit card statements found Martinez used city funds to purchase mattresses, designer sunglasses, hair products and children’s toys.
The audit also found utility bill payments received but never deposited, and unexplained credit adjustments erasing past-due balances.
City officials hired a new clerk on April 8, 2024, who discovered the improprieties. The clerk, Carol Zuniga, and Mayor Tom Van Auken contacted the Muscatine County Sheriff’s Office to begin an investigation, and the State Auditor’s Office was brought in to assist.
Martinez was arrested and booked into the Muscatine County Jail. She was charged with two counts of Ongoing Criminal Conduct, two counts of 1st degree Theft, and one count each of Unauthorized Use of Credit Card, and Forgery. If convicted on all of the charges, Martinez faces a prison term of up to 85 years.