Laredo City Employee Faces Charges After Taking Money from Customers

LAREDO, TX. – A former City of Laredo employee has been released on bond after being accused of taking money from customers’ residential utility accounts according to Laredo Morning Times.

Beatriz Martinez, 39, was released Thursday after turning herself into the Laredo Police Department earlier that day. Martinez was charged with theft and tampering with government records.

The investigation by LPD’s crimes against property detectives revealed she pocketed $1,400 and the theft was reported on Dec. 19.

The police report stated that two customers had reported collection discrepancies.

The criminal complaint stated, “Specifically, two customers came forward indicating they had recently opened an account with the Utilities Department for water services. Both customers paid their deposits at the time they opened up the accounts.

It adds, “Records showed that customers service representative, Beatriz Martinez, was the employee that had issued both receipts to the customers. The costumers’ receipt showed a payment of $100 while the receipts entered into the system showed payment of $50 and for that reason, the customers were billed $50.”

An audit investigation revealed that Martinez was transferring money from Armadillo Home’s escrow account to regular customers’ account, and Martinez confessed to the transfers of money because she was trying to cover up that she was taking cash deposits paid by customers.

If convicted, Martinez could face up to two years in jail and a possible fine of $10,000.