Photo by Ruth Heide Ironically, a sign at the Alamosa Housing Authority office at 213 Murphy Drive stated in 2007 the authority was not responsible for loss or theft of personal property. The director at that time is now being charged with theft of a greater magnitude.

Martinez faces two counts



By RUTH HEIDE

ALAMOSA — In a case that began two years ago, former Alamosa Housing Authority Director Patricia Ann Martinez, 62, was arraigned on Wednesday in U.S. District Court in Denver on embezzlement and money laundering charges allegedly occurring while she was executive director of the housing authority.

Martinez pleaded not guilty and was released on a PR bond. She is represented by Valley attorney Cas Garcia.

Prosecuting the case is Assistant U.S. Attorney Thomas O’Rourke with the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Denver.

The pending felony charges against Martinez are: 1) converting to own use property of another - embezzled property; and 2) money laundering - larceny and theft, bank.

If convicted of the first charge she could face 10 years, plus fine, restitution and special assessment fee, and if convicted of the second count she could face 20 years, plus a fine, restitution and special assessment.

A trial is expected to take more than five days. Agents from the FBI, IRS and U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) would be expected to testify. (The housing authority operates under HUD jurisdiction.)

Judge Philip Brimmer has been assigned to the case. Magistrate Judge Kathleen M. Tafoya presided over the Wednesday hearing that included a waiver of indictment, arraignment and detention hearing.

Martinez, now living in Fort Collins, was director of the Alamosa Housing Authority for 18 years. She was placed on administrative leave and then resigned from that position in late 2007 after investigations revealed alleged embezzlement of large sums of money. Assistant Director Doris Abeyta was then appointed director.

The Alamosa Housing Authority manages nearly 200 units as well as several dozen Section 8 vouchers.

In 2007 then-District Attorney Peter Comar and his investigative team worked with the Alamosa Police Department on the initial investigation and turned their files over to the federal authorities to proceed with the case since the housing authority is under the jurisdiction of the federal government. At the time Comar stated that the investigative efforts determined a substantial amount of money had been taken from the housing authority and Martinez was believed to have been involved.

Comar also said at the time that the alleged theft occurred over a period of time and came to light through a tip to the DA’s office.

The charging information from the U.S. Attorney narrowed the time period on the first charge down to February-December of 2005 and narrowed the amount down to approximately $123,550 drawn out of the housing authority’s bank account by means of checks made payable to Martinez’ sister and nephew, the son of a housing authority employee, a business owned by that employee and an Alamosa businessman. Those other individuals were not named in the court document.

Regarding the second count, the U.S. Attorney charged that on May 5, 2007, Martinez unlawfully conducted a financial transaction through Community Banks of the Rockies that was “designed in whole or in part to conceal and disguise the nature, source, ownership and control of the proceeds of specified unlawful activity,” namely that she withdrew $2,500 from her son’s account at that bank by preparing, signing and making a check payable to herself.