Elections Worker Faces 7-Year Sentence for $384K Theft
Yanira Martinez stole the money when she worked as the confidential secretary to the county superintendents of elections.
A woman admitted Tuesday to diverting more than $384,000 from the Passaic County Board of Elections to her personal bank account for more than two years, authorities announced.
Yanira Martinez pleaded guilty to one count of official misconduct and one count of theft, Passaic County Prosecutor Camelia Valdes announced in a news release.
The release states Martinez, a Ridgefield resident, admitted that she used her position as the confidential secretary to the Passaic County superintendent of elections to divert funds intended for the Board of Elections to her personal bank account. The theft occurred between February 2008 and April 2010.
The Passaic County Prosecutor’s Office, Public Integrity Unit and the United States Inspector’s Office began investigating Martinez in February 2008.
Martinez was arrested and charged in June 2010, the prosecutor’s office stated.
Under the terms of the plea agreement, Martinez faces a seven-year prison term, seven years for the theft charge and seven years for the official misconduct charge, and five years probation. The sentences will run concurrently.
Martinez also must pay back the $384,000 she stole to the county. She will also be prohibited from future public employment.
— Have a question or news tip? Contact editor Daniel Hubbard at Daniel.Hubbard@patch.com or find us on Facebook and Twitter. For news straight to your inbox, sign up for our daily newsletter.
Bobtwo
8:02 am on Wednesday, March 13, 2013
This is just a thought, an honest person could not get this job. It's all about politics.
Bill
9:12 am on Wednesday, March 13, 2013
Why is this story on the Wayne Patch, written by the Wayne Patch editor? Someone informed me that only stories about Wayne with Wayne residents are to be on the Wayne Patch? What happened here? This story does not belong here. Please do not tell me that it is because it is a Passaic County story. Dan wouldn't write about those either. Why this one?
Scondo
11:55 am on Wednesday, March 13, 2013
Guess that someone , who informed you, did not know what he or she was talking about. But in review we find that Wayne is in Passaic County---so I guess we are good to go. She is a very pretty woman, just saying.
Wayne Resident
12:03 pm on Wednesday, March 13, 2013
scondo, you need new reading glasses.
Justice
9:20 am on Wednesday, March 13, 2013
Bill, that is a good point.
Wayne Resident
9:23 am on Wednesday, March 13, 2013
Agreed, plus she is a Bergen County resident.
W.elk
10:07 am on Wednesday, March 13, 2013
Why shouldn't a Wayne resident know about theft in their county voting office???
I think it's more strange that anyone would object to the story. It's news, and it's local.
Michelle
12:18 pm on Wednesday, March 13, 2013
Thank you W.elk....I thought I was the only one missing that point....She worked for Passaic County...I'm interested in that as a Wayne resident! Lighten up people...why do we only have to hear about Wayne news? I'm curious about surrounding areas.
Daniel Hubbard
12:37 pm on Wednesday, March 13, 2013
This woman plead guilty to stealing hundreds of thousands of dollars from Passaic County residents, more than 50,000 of which live in Wayne. She stole from everyone. That's why it is on the site.
Scondo
1:44 pm on Wednesday, March 13, 2013
Those of us who live in Wayne and know it is part of Passaic County do not have any issue.
Nose Wayne
12:44 pm on Wednesday, March 13, 2013
Keep up the good work Dan, would be interesting to see if she ever pays the money back ? Let us NOSE if you hear anything Dan.
Pad
2:39 pm on Wednesday, March 13, 2013
Good reply Dan! But lots of luck to Passaic County in getting the stolen money payed back by her. We all know how that goes. I am surprised the investigation took 2 years. While the investigation was going on was she still stealing more & more money from the taxpayers of Passaic County?
Bill
3:11 pm on Wednesday, March 13, 2013
Next time there is activity North of Wayne to the New York State Border, it will be reported on? That is all Passaic County to be very clear.
Jack Q
2:51 pm on Thursday, March 14, 2013
If it is a county issue, I'm sure it will. If it is only a West Milford crime report, for example, I'm sure it won't.
Nose Wayne
5:10 pm on Thursday, March 14, 2013
Guess that will be kept "confidential" just like her job title.