Sandra Janet Martin {BSO}
A Lauderhill woman has been arrested after allegedly defrauding Broward County out of nearly $82,000 through fraudulent claims submitted to the Emergency Rental Assistance Program (ERAP), according to the Broward County Property Appraiser’s Office.
BCPA launched an investigation after being alerted by Broward County officials about a possible Homestead Exemption violation. Instead, the BCPA’s exemption fraud unit uncovered a complex scheme involving fraudulent rental claims, the office state in a written statement.
According to investigators, Sandra Janet Martin, 57, of Lauderhill falsely represented herself as the property owner of four separate properties and sought rental reimbursement through the ERAP program. Martin did own one property in Lauderhill, but the three additional properties were owned by different people with the same name — Sandra Martin, BCPA officials said.
None of the properties, including Martin’s own home, were ever rented out, investigators said. And the legitimate owners had no knowledge of the alleged scheme, according to the BCPA.
ERAP, created by the U.S. Department of the Treasury, was designed to help families facing financial hardship during the COVID-19 pandemic by providing them money to assist with rent and housing costs.
According to BCPA officials, Martin is accused of defrauding the program of approximately $81,950. She is charged with multiple felonies, including Organized Scheme to Defraud, Grand Theft, and Criminal Use of Personal Information.
The Broward Sheriff’s Office arrested Martin March 11. She was booked into the Broward Main Jail and released March 12 on a $6,000 bond, according to court records.
She has pleaded not guilty to all charges, the records show.
Authorities credited the response by Broward County officials and collaboration between Broward County Property Appraiser Marty Kiar, Broward Sheriff Gregory Tony, and State Attorney Harold Pryor for ending Martin’s alleged scheme.
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