Woman accused of cancer 'sickie' scam

Everyone fakes a sickie every now and again, but usually by claiming to have a headache, food poisoning or flu - not brain cancer.

But a former social worker has been accused of pretending to have the deadly disease, just so she could have some time off.

Prosecutors say Sandra Dee Martinez falsely claimed paid leave worth £10,000 and exploited days off donated by colleagues last year.

"She was fabricating a tragedy so she wouldn't have to go to work.

"She preyed on the generosity of her employer and co-workers," a police sopkesman said.

Martinez, 40, who was employed by Arlington's department of social and health services in Washington, allegedly forged doctors notes.

One letter said she had slipped into a coma and only had six months to live.

But she was apparently caught out when she left a copy of a letter on a neighbour's printer after using her computer.

Staff from a nearby medical centre insisted they knew nothing of her condition, despite being quoted on the letters.

Martinez has since moved house and is refusing to co-operate with investigators.



What people will do to pull a sickie!

That's disgusting she should be locked up ; and made to pay back every penny.