A Weakley County Grand Jury issued 21 indictments on Nov. 12 that exposed more than $458,000 worth of suspicious city fund usage in Martin, Tennessee, according to the Tennessee Comptroller’s report.

Mayor Randal “Randy” Brundige faces 13 felony charges, which include four counts of theft of property between $60,000 and $250,000, one count of theft between $10,000 and $60,000, seven counts of official misconduct and one count of accessory after the fact. The investigation revealed that he used his position to approve unauthorized travel expenses and approve payments tied to his daughter’s payroll and related-party transactions without proper board supervision. The report claims Brundige misappropriated nearly $11,000 of city funds by using his city-issued credit card for unauthorized travel expenses. The most severe Class B felony charges against him could result in up to 30 years of prison time for each offense.

Natalie Brundige, who works as a part-time police department custodian, faces two felony charges, which include theft of property between $60,000 and $250,000 and official misconduct. The investigation revealed she received unauthorized pay and benefits totaling more than $174,000 through her false reports of working full-time hours. Security cameras recorded her brief presence at the police department while she received full-time pay and benefits for more than six years.

The city’s economic and community development director, Bradley “Brad” Thompson, faces six felony charges, which include theft of property between $60,000 and $250,000, four counts of official misconduct and theft between $10,000 and $60,000. The report claims Thompson received improper consulting fee payments from the city, totaling more than $235,000, and made unauthorized credit card transactions totaling at least $33,000. The most severe charge could result in a prison term between eight and 30 years. Tennessee law establishes felony penalties for all remaining charges.

The defendants have not filed any pleas in court as of Wednesday, Nov. 12, 2025. The Weakley County Circuit Court maintains all charges as pending until a verdict is entered.

The city has not released any official statements. The Board of Mayor and Aldermen conducted its meeting on Monday, Nov. 10, but did not discuss the indictments–even though the mayor was not present.

The Comptroller’s Office identified major internal control problems that led to extended periods of unauthorized payments and recommended various corrective measures. The Comptroller’s Office recommends that the city implement better credit card monitoring, require employees to submit timesheets, create written reimbursement rules and enhance all purchase and travel approval processes.

The court will schedule arraignments for all three defendants in the upcoming weeks. The 27th Judicial District will handle the prosecution of these cases, which will likely go to trial during the following year if the defendants choose to fight their charges. The Comptroller’s Office required the city to create major policy changes to stop future cases of taxpayer fund misuse. The 2021 audit report revealed multiple problems that matched the current investigation, creating additional doubts about city government oversight.

As of Nov. 16, only one member of the City of Martin Board of Mayor and Aldermen has made an official comment. Alderman Jacob Crowe posted on his Facebook saying, “As soon as these indictments came to light, I began working every possible channel to move our city toward accountability and healing. We cannot move forward while leadership remains under such a cloud. Mayor Brundige and Brad Thompson should not still be in their positions and they should not be in office. Their decisions have left a wound that we must now work together to heal.”

The City of Martin Board of Mayor and Aldermen has called a special meeting for Nov. 25 at 5:15 p.m. at the city courtroom in the Martin police department on North Lindell St. The Board is requesting Mayor Randy Brundige’s resignation and assessing the employment of Brad Thompson.