Ishpeming T-Shirt Case Goes to Trial

A trial has been set for the owner of an Ishpeming Township business accused of violating the Michigan Charitable Organizations and Solicitation Act. 40-year-old Scott Martin will go to trial on October 27th for four days in Marquette County Circuit Court. Martin’s business, Martin Sports Apparel, printed and sold T-shirts in late 2012 in memory of Christopher ‘Bubba’ Croley, who died when his family’s vehicle was hit by a drunk driver. According to witness testimonies in court, $5 from every t-shirt sold would go to the Croley family. The family says they never received the money. Martin says a Marquette County Sheriff’s Department detective told him in late 2012 to leave the proceeds where they were being stored until receiving further instructions. Martin claims that because he never received any more instructions, he still has the money. Alger County Prosecutor Karen Bahrman is handling the case.