Head of charity for blind charged with stealing

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. (AP) -- The executive director of the Springfield Association of the Blind has been charged with stealing more than $25,000 from the charity.

Springfield Police said in a news release Thursday that Micky L. Martin was charged Wednesday with felony stealing in Greene County Circuit Court. Police suspect Martin stole the money from the charity between January 2004 and October 2007.

After board members learned that some of the group's bills were not being paid, they found that Martin was writing checks to himself and other entities that had no ties to the charity.

Martin was hired in 2001 to lead the 77-year-old not-for-profit. Martin was responsible for paying bills, receiving donations and assisting clients of the association.