City Terminates Martinez Clippers License Agreement

MARTINEZ, CA — The City of Martinez said Wednesday its license agreement with the Martinez Clippers Baseball Corporation has been terminated as of Feb. 16 for nonpayment of fees associated with the minor league team's use of city field facilities during the 2018 baseball season.

"The License Agreement, dated March 16, 2018, had been for the use of Field 3 and associated facilities at the Joe DiMaggio Ballfields at Waterfront Park in order for the Martinez Clippers to participate in the 2018 season as a member of the Pacific Association of Professional Baseball Clubs (PAPBC)," the city manager's office said in a statement.

"The City and PAPBC representatives are presently evaluating options for the upcoming 2019 season," city officials said. "More details will be provided as they become available."

The announcement from the city comes as news broke recently that Martinez Clippers' team ownership are being investigated by the FBI in connection with running a suspected $800-million Ponzi scheme.

The FBI believes the owners, Martinez resident Jeff Carpoff and his wife, Paulette Carpoff, funneled money through their bankrupted Benicia-based company, DC Solar, in a complicated corporate structure that utilized new investors to pay off old investors, according to a news report.

Martinez Clippers are among six teams included in the Pacific Association of Professional Baseball Clubs. Other teams are the San Rafael Pacifics, Sonoma Stompers, Vallejo Admirals, Pittsburg Diamonds and the Napa Silverados.

The Martinez Clippers website, Mtzclippers.com, did not appear to be functioning Wednesday, with a "website expired" notice on the homepage.