A decade-long pattern of financial misconduct inside Martin City Hall has led to felony indictments against Mayor Randal “Randy” Brundige, Economic and Community Development Director Bradley “Brad” Thompson,
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State Investigation Uncovers Misuse of More Than $450,000 in City of Martin Funds
Comptroller report, grand jury indictments detail alleged consulting scheme, unearned payroll, and unauthorized travel charges.
Randy Brundige
Natalie Brundige
Grand Jury Indictments
Comproller's Investigation Report
Brad Thompson
Posted
and former Police Department custodian Natalie Brundige, according to a report released by the
Tennessee Comptroller of the Treasury.
Receipt included in the Comptroller's Investigative Report
The Comptroller’s Division of Investigations found that, between 2015 and 2025, the three collectively misappropriated more than $450,000 through improper consulting payments, unauthorized city credit-card purchases, and unearned payroll compensation.
The findings were referred to the District Attorney General for the 27th Judicial District and presented to a Weakley County grand jury.
What the report says: Thompson’s alleged consulting scheme and travel expenses, Natalie Brundige’s unearned pay, and the mayor’s unauthorized travel were enabled by years of weak oversight and policy gaps at City Hall.
A Selection from the Comproller's Investigative Report
A Selection from the Comproller's Investigative Report
Allegations of self-dealing and lax oversight
Investigators said Thompson used a company he owned—One Consulting—to bill the city more than $236,000 for grant-writing that was already part of his salaried duties. He also charged first-class airfare, a beachfront condo, and upscale meals to city credit cards, bringing his total alleged misappropriation to nearly $274,000.
Mayor Randy Brundige is accused of charging $10,925 in unauthorized travel expenses, including high-end steakhouse dinners that exceeded state reimbursement limits. The report states he verbally approved Thompson’s invoices, failed to disclose One Consulting to the Board of Aldermen, and later sought to retroactively legitimize the payments through an ordinance—an unapproved related-party transaction.
The mayor’s daughter, Natalie Brundige, worked as a custodian at the Martin Police Department from 2018 to 2025 and allegedly worked about two hours per day while being paid for eight. Investigators said she collected more than $174,000 in unearned salary, leave, and benefits, with her time approvals handled directly by the mayor.
Grand jury indictments
On November 10, 2025, the Weakley County Grand Jury returned indictments in connection with the investigation:
Brad Thompson
Brad Thompson — six counts, including Theft of Property over $60,000, Theft over $10,000, and four counts of Official Misconduct.
Randy Brundige
Randy Brundige — ten counts, including Criminal Responsibility for Theft of Property, Accessory After the Fact, and multiple counts of Official Misconduct.
Natalie Brundige — two counts: Theft of Property over $60,000 and Official Misconduct.
Natalie Brundige
According to Weakley County Sheriff’s Department booking records, all three were arrested on November 11 and released the same day on bond through Ronnie’s Bail Bonds.
The charges are accusations only; each defendant is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.
Internal control failures
The Comptroller’s report identified six major deficiencies that allowed the alleged misconduct to persist:
- Failure to enforce the city’s travel-reimbursement policy.
- Lack of documentation and review for credit-card use.
- Absence of reliable payroll verification procedures.
- No board approval or monitoring of related-party transactions.
- Inaction by the city recorder in flagging improper payments.
- No inventory system for computers and other technology equipment.
The report notes that several weaknesses had been flagged in a prior audit but were not corrected.
What’s next
As of press time, city officials had not issued a public statement. The Comptroller’s Office said Martin leaders “have corrected or intend to correct these deficiencies.”
The case is pending in Weakley County Circuit Court, with arraignments scheduled for November 24 at 9 a.m.
| Person | Position | Amount Misappropriated | Key Allegations |
|---|---|---|---|
| Brad Thompson | Economic & Community Development Director | $273,932 | Consulting fees, unauthorized travel, personal purchases |
| Natalie Brundige | Police Department Custodian | $174,109 | Unearned pay and benefits |
| Randy Brundige | Mayor | $10,925 | Unauthorized travel and meals |
| Total | $458,966 |
Editor’s note: This report references the Tennessee Comptroller’s investigative report (released Nov. 12, 2025),
Weakley County grand jury indictments (filed Nov. 10, 2025), and Weakley County Sheriff’s Department booking records (Nov. 11, 2025).
