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Ex–Bank of America Worker Arrested in Alleged $500,000 Theft From Disabled Client

Prosecutors say he opened unauthorized joint accounts to siphon the woman's inheritance.

Overview

  • Mario Martinez, 40, was arrested after a joint announcement by the Miami-Dade state attorney and sheriff as part of a task force targeting exploitation of vulnerable adults.
  • He is being held at Turner Guilford Knight Correctional Center and is awaiting his first appearance in bond court.
  • Charges filed include exploitation of a disabled person, organized fraud, grand theft, criminal use of personal information, and tampering with or harassing a victim or witness.
  • Investigators say a Bank of America branch on Southwest 136th Street flagged irregular transactions, triggering an internal investigation during which Martinez confessed and resigned.
  • Authorities allege he presented himself as a financial advisor despite a customer-service role and later tried to dissuade reporting, including delivering a gift basket to the victim’s home.