LAUDERHILL, Fla. – A girl used her comparatively frequent title to her benefit as she hatched a scheme to steal tens of 1000’s of {dollars} in Broward County funds meant to go to rental help, in keeping with investigators.
Authorities mentioned Sandra Janet Martin, 57, of Lauderhill, sought reimbursement beneath the Emergency Rental Help Program for 3 properties owned by others named Sandra Martin, in addition to her own residence.
The federal authorities established the Emergency Rental Help Program “to help individuals who skilled monetary hardship due to the COVID-19 pandemic,” in keeping with a Broward County Property Appraiser’s Workplace information launch.
Officers mentioned not one of the properties, together with hers, have been truly rented.
In keeping with Broward Sheriff’s Workplace arrest paperwork, the opposite homeowners mentioned they didn’t know any of the alleged renters and the alleged lessees mentioned they by no means rented the properties. Along with Martin’s precise Lauderhill property, deputies mentioned they have been positioned in Deerfield Seaside, Margate and Oakland Park.
Martin made off with $81,950 in county funds from February 2020 by means of September 2022, authorities allege.
But it surely’s not her first time being accused of stealing public funds meant to go to these in want.
Broward courtroom information present that on Nov. 6, 1995, she pleaded no contest to a felony welfare fraud cost.
These information present she acquired withheld adjudication however violated her probation in 2000.
Now, practically 25 years later, she’s again in hassle and the costs are much more critical: BSO deputies arrested her Tuesday on fees of grand theft, organized fraud and three counts of id theft.
On-line information present she was being held on the BSO Predominant Jail. Three of her fees don’t have any listed bond, whereas two id theft fees carry bonds of $2,500 every.
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