Share 
State of Play’s TL;DR
- An Arizona woman has been charged for allegedly taking nearly $119,000 from a 94-year-old woman’s finances.
- Most of the money was supposedly spent on online gambling sites.
Utah prosecutors have charged an Arizona woman after alleging she diverted nearly $119,000 from a 94-year-old woman’s finances, with more than $103,000 of that allegedly spent on online gambling through the Google Play Store.
The case centers on alleged financial exploitation of a vulnerable adult and misuse of power of attorney.
According to charging documents, Melody Ann Martinez, 67, of Page, AZ, was charged in 6th District Court with two counts of financial exploitation of a vulnerable adult and unlawful dealing of property by a fiduciary, both second-degree felonies. Prosecutors say the alleged conduct stretched from 2019 to 2025.
Charges allege gambling and retail spending from victim’s accounts
The alleged victim is a 94-year-old woman living in an assisted living facility in Kanab, UT. Prosecutors say Martinez was a close friend and held power of attorney over the woman’s finances.
Charging documents allege Martinez “used (the victim’s) finances for her own benefit.” Prosecutors say she spent approximately $103,425 on online gambling through the Google Play Store and nearly $15,500 at Walmart.
Investigators also found that the gambling purchases were registered to the victim, even though she reportedly had no electronic devices capable of accessing the Google Play Store.
Prosecutors further allege the Walmart shopping took place near Martinez’s residence, more than an hour from the victim’s home.
Victim’s bank accounts were cleaned out
The allegations focus on online gambling spending routed through a mainstream digital marketplace, alongside prosecutors’ claim that a fiduciary relationship was abused.
According to the charges, the combined gambling and Walmart purchases totaled about $118,921. Prosecutors say the woman’s bank accounts were substantially depleted, leaving her with minimal funds to cover expenses.
The report did not say whether Martinez had been arrested or made an initial court appearance.
Based on reporting by Pat Reavy for KSL.
