Local News

<< Previous   of   Next >>   ADVERTISEMENT   CONTACT THE HERALD Robert Frank, City Editor frank@heraldnet.com   Published: Wednesday, May 14, 2008 Worker accused of faking cancer to steal from state The woman received $21,000 in paid leave after forging letters from doctors, prosecutors allege. By Diana Hefley, Herald Writer ARLINGTON -- When a state social worker announced she had malignant brain tumors, she received $21,000 in paid leave, lots of time off from work, and extra sick days generously donated by co-workers pulling for her in her fight against a terrifying disease. Turns out the tumors were only a sick ploy to steal from the state Department of Social and Health Services, prosecutors alleged Tuesday. Sandra Dee Martinez, 40, never was diagnosed with brain cancer and instead faked letters from phony doctors to get paid sick leave, work half-days and land certain duties in the department, according to court documents. She's now charged with first-degree theft. "She was fabricating a tragedy so she wouldn't have to go to work," Arlington Police Chief John Gray said. "She preyed on the generosity of her employer and co-workers." The former Mountlake Terrace woman worked out of the Smokey Point DSHS office. The Arlington police investigation turned up a scheme that went way beyond faking the sniffles to take a three-day weekend, Gray said. Martinez was hired by the state as a social worker in October 2006, according to court records. Five months later she allegedly told her employer she had a brain tumor and began using medical leave and continued to get paid. The first letter explained that Martinez was diagnosed with tumors and would need two to three weeks off immediately so she could strengthen her immune system and focus on her treatment, court records said. The letter went on to explain that Martinez likely wouldn't be able to work full time and would need one to two years to battle her cancer. "When Sandra chooses, she can work and the days she can't she needs to stay home," according to the letter, which appeared to be signed by an oncologist at the University of Washington Medical Center, but was a fake. Over the next several months, Martinez submitted more fake letters, prosecutors wrote. In June 2007, the state received a letter that indicated the tumor had caused a blood vessel in Martinez's head to burst and she had slipped into a coma. A letter dated four days later, indicated the Martinez was able to work full time but she needed to leave early on Fridays to undergo chemotherapy, according to court documents. Another letter, dated July 30, indicated that Martinez could work as a guardian social worker but not with Child Protective Services, according to court documents. Authorities were alerted to the scheme when Martinez's neighbor turned over one of the doctor's letters that investigators are convinced was forged. Martinez had come over to use the woman's computer and left a letter on the woman's printer, prosecutors wrote. The letter stated that Martinez had undergone emergency surgery and slipped into a coma. The letter also said Martinez might only have six months to live. The doctor requested that Martinez be given shared leave so she could maintain her insurance and medication. Investigators spoke with authorities at the UW Medical Center. They reported that none of the doctors or medical professionals who allegedly wrote and signed the letters that DSHS received ever worked at the center, prosecutors wrote. The letterhead used for the letters likely wasn't authentic, prosecutors said. Martinez has since moved out of the state, Gray said. She has declined to speak with investigators, he said. "Services were paid out and the taxpayers didn't get anything," Gray said. "She worked in a department that has a compelling mission and is understaffed. Who lost out?"

1. If you think gas costs hurt now, just wait 2. Everett caretaker arrested in theft from elderly man 3. Plan your fun for the Fourth of July holiday 4. Everett's July 4 celebration at Legion Memorial Park 5. Two hospitalized after morning fire 6. Politicians pushed Sonics out the door 7. Storms expected to clear up tonight 8. His and her Dino-fact checking services available now 9. SuperSonics fly off to Oklahoma City 10. Dino Rossi campaign apologizes for sending e-mails to AquaSox fan list 2 - Top 10 Stories Most Talked about 3 - Top 10 Stories Most Emailed

• World famous, and headed to Everett • The man in charge • A lifetime of happiness • Three new administrators join SCC • Adefua opens Edmonds concert series • Changing of the guard for the Timberwolves • Road toward red-light cameras paved in LFP • Cities to Sound Transit: Get light rail up here • Mill Creek: Want more, pay more • Warbird¿s history keeper • (No heading) • Arlington Fly-In marks 40th anniversary this year • Paul Allen's rare Flying Heritage Collection becomes latest aviation att ... • Business Briefs - July 2008 • July 1998: Cogswell eyed future growth • 787 'powers up' all systems • Glider clubs merge at Arlington Airport