The CotoBuzz Journal, Community Journalism

May 2009

We do not make jokes, we simply watch the LA Times, the Orange County Register and CID/HOA board of directors and report the fact

Quacker Physician Assistant Convicted of Identify Theft

Posted by CotoBlogzz | 05/06/2009 1:30 AM

SANTA ANA, CA - Steve Armand Martinez, a fake physician assistant was convicted today of using a stolen identity to be hired at Orange County medical facilities and treating a patient without a license.

Martinez, 60, San Juan Capistrano, pleaded guilty to four felony count of the unauthorized practice of medicine, six felony counts of prescribing medication without a license, two felony counts of identity theft, one felony count of grand theft, one felony count of theft with a prior conviction for a 2004 theft, one misdemeanor count of identity theft with the intent to defraud, and one misdemeanor count of misrepresenting himself as a physician assistant. Martinez was sentenced to two years in state prison.

Martinez falsely represented himself to several medical facilities as a licensed physician assistant by providing a resume containing false information and listing a true physician assistant identification number. Martinez has never been licensed and stole an identification number from an actual licensed physician assistant.

Between Jan. 12, 2006, and Jan. 20, 2006, Martinez practiced medicine without a license after getting hired by using false information at Pure Life Medical Center in Irvine. Martinez illegally practiced medical services on one known victim, a 36-year-old man, by taking the victim’s blood and administering an intravenous drip.

On or about Jan. 10, 2007, Martinez again was hired by using false information at San Clemente Medi-Center after representing himself as a licensed physician assistant and providing a fake resume with the stolen physician assistant identification number. While working at this facility, Martinez stole cash that was paid by a patient while doing clerical work at the reception desk.

Between Sept. 29, 2008, and Dec. 15, 2008, Martinez practiced medicine without a license after being hired at Coastal Heart Medical Group in Santa Ana after falsely representing himself as a physician assistant. He illegally practiced medical services on at least three people and illegally prescribed medication for walk-in illnesses such as the common cold. Martinez committed grand theft by receiving payment as a physician assistant without being licensed.

The Medical Board of California (MBC) began investigating this case after receiving a complaint from a co-worker of Martinez, who discovered that the physician assistant license number belonged to another person. The case was then presented to the Orange County District Attorney’s Office (OCDA).

On his resume, the defendant claimed to have worked at Martin Luther Hospital Medical Center in Anaheim, South County Urgent Care Center, and San Clemente Hospital. He may also have worked at unknown facilities in Huntington Beach and Fountain Valley.