Brenda Martin's Fraud Case - The Sequel

[Keepitsimple]

A story in yesterday's Star details how there was a second woman in very similar circumstances to Brenda Martin - charged with similar offenses in relation to Alan Waage's fraud scheme. Rebecca Roth, a US citizen, has also been sitting in the same prison for two years - and the US seems to have also allowed the Mexican justice system to follow it's meandering path.....except Rebecca Roth is still in prison. Just as with Martin, Waage has sworn that she knew nothing of his scam. Why are we only hearing about this now? We heard not a peep about this second woman. The comparisons are so stunning that it leaves me flummoxed: Was it lazy journalism, sheer incompetence, or is it just another example of opportunistic Conservative-bashing?

Link: http://www.thestar.com/printArticle/421443

Brenda Martin's fraud case, the sequel

TheStar.com - Canada - Brenda Martin's fraud case, the sequel

Co-accused U.S. woman remains in Mexican jail

May 05, 2008

OTTAWA–As the saga of a Canadian woman jailed in Mexico draws to a close, another woman dealing with a similar nightmare waits her turn away from the spotlight.

American Rebecca Roth, 50, was found guilty two weeks ago of involvement in the same multimillion-dollar online investment scheme that landed Canadian Brenda Martin, 51, in prison near Guadalajara more than two years ago.

On the same day a Mexican judge handed a five-year sentence to Martin, Roth was given nine years without parole and fined 44,812 pesos – about $4,370 – for operating with illicit funds and violating federal laws against organized crime.

Her family friend and lawyer, Andy Millar, said Roth has decided to appeal the verdict but may drop the appeal in order to apply for a transfer to the United States.

Unlike Martin, who was transferred to custody in Canada on Thursday after her prison ordeal garnered widespread publicity, Roth has captured little attention on either side of the border.

"In only telling Brenda's story, they are only telling half the story," said Roger Harrison, who worked with both women briefly in Puerto Vallarta as an employee of convicted fraudster Alyn Richard Waage and who believes that, like him, the women had no knowledge of their ex-boss's crimes.

Waage, 61, is serving a 10-year sentence in a U.S. federal prison for masterminding the infamous Tri-West Investment Club that swindled investors out of nearly $60 million (U.S.).

He has sworn that neither Roth nor Martin were aware of his scheme and told The Canadian Press in March he believes both women are being held as collateral for his having skipped out on $500,000 bail in Mexico.

Her sister, Barbara Roth, said that time spent at the computer would come back to haunt her. In 2002, Mexican police investigating Waage asked both women to give declarations. They showed Martin a picture of Roth taken at a Christmas party and asked her to identify her.

"All Brenda said was she was on the computer," Barbara Roth said from her home about an hour south of Guadalajara. "That's what put my sister in prison."

It is not the only evidence the prosecutions presented against her.

Bank records show she covered about $56,000 of Waage's expenses in the four months between his April 2001 arrest and his escape to Costa Rica after his release. Barbara Roth said her sister showed receipts accounting for every expense and had no idea the company was a scam until Waage fled.

Roth and Martin were brought to the Puente Grande women's prison within days of each other and both took part in a prison beauty pageant in exchange for staying outside an extra hour in the evening, but they are far from friends.

"I don't speak to Rebecca Roth. I have no reason to speak to her," Martin said in the telephone call from prison in a March interview with the Toronto Star in which she called Roth "evil" and said she believes she is guilty.

"Brenda has been very cruel to Rebecca, very cruel," Barbara Roth said.

Correspondence between the U.S. consulate in Guadalajara and the office of Oregon Republican Senator Gordon Smith shows consular officials have visited Roth 10 times since her arrest in February 2006.

[noahbody]

"I don't speak to Rebecca Roth. I have no reason to speak to her," Martin said in the telephone call from prison in a March interview with the Toronto Star in which she called Roth "evil" and said she believes she is guilty.

That's a strange comment from someone who knew nothing.

[Keepitsimple]

Brenda Martin is now free on parole but Rebecca Roth remains in prison - still haven't seen the follow-ups in the media - still wondering why.

The next time you see a list comparing the U.S. and Canada (you know: they're colder, we're warmer, etc.) add this one: Canada takes care of its own. And the U.S. turns its back on citizens rotting in Mexican jails, without benefit of trial, for crimes it's likely they did not commit.

At least, that's what the U.S. has done to Rebecca Roth.

But Brenda Martin had reason for hope. The Canadian media was receptive to her story; it soon was publicized nationally in newspapers and on network TV.

Objections were raised to Mexico's ambassador to Canada. Politicians and high-ranking government officials traveled from Canada to Mexico. Prime Minister Stephen Harper appealed directly to Mexican President Felipe Calderon on Brenda's behalf. A "Don't vacation in Mexico" movement was begun in Canada; newspapers editorialized in favor of a boycott.

But Rebecca's friends and family had no luck catching the interest or attention of the U.S. media or government. There were no network news reports, no governmental appeals.

It's possible Brenda, the cook, got a lighter sentence because pressure was brought to bear on the Mexicans by Canadians.

"But at least they tried to help her," Barbara says. "They kept track of Brenda, they followed the story. At least the Canadians cared enough to do that."

Link to Article: http://www.banderasnews.com/0804/edop-rebeccaroth.htm

Edited May 10, 2008 by Keepitsimple

[Fortunata]

I don't know about Roth but the only reason Martin received such help from the Canadian government is because her case became such high profile in the media and they had to be seen to do something. It was all political; you can't tell me that Harper cares one whit about Brenda Martin.

Now having said that, if I don't ever see Martin's sniveling face on tv again, I will be more than happy.

[Oleg Bach]

I don't know about Roth but the only reason Martin received such help from the Canadian government is because her case became such high profile in the media and they had to be seen to do something. It was all political; you can't tell me that Harper cares one whit about Brenda Martin.

Now having said that, if I don't ever see Martin's sniveling face on tv again, I will be more than happy.

How can any conviction by the Mexican authorities mean any thing? There is no rule of law in Mexico. It is a massive mafia enterprise. For Canada to even use the language "convicted" in regards to Ms. Martin and the Mexican mafia is a sham. Canada should spit in the eye of the Mexican authorities and file suit against them for expenses encured saving Martin from these second rate extortionists.

[Fortunata]

How can any conviction by the Mexican authorities mean any thing? There is no rule of law in Mexico. It is a massive mafia enterprise. For Canada to even use the language "convicted" in regards to Ms. Martin and the Mexican mafia is a sham. Canada should spit in the eye of the Mexican authorities and file suit against them for expenses encured saving Martin from these second rate extortionists.

I didn't say anything about guilt or innocence; to me that's immaterial to why our government stepped in. There was a Canadian on death row in the USA and Harper said he wouldn't interfere. There are two men in Saudi Arabia that appear to be innocent of the murder charges they have been convicted of; one is slated for public execution and the other for public lashing. Seems to me both these cases merits attention as much or more than Brenda Martin.

[Oleg Bach]

I didn't say anything about guilt or innocence; to me that's immaterial to why our government stepped in. There was a Canadian on death row in the USA and Harper said he wouldn't interfere. There are two men in Saudi Arabia that appear to be innocent of the murder charges they have been convicted of; one is slated for public execution and the other for public lashing. Seems to me both these cases merits attention as much or more than Brenda Martin.

Yes they do. It it was not a case of guilt. Personally to me it is not important if Ms. Martin was part of a fraud. She may be guilty or she may not be. Having said that - it's about human rights and civility. Martin was being tormented (tortured) in a Mexican hell hole controled by deviates.

The Saudi issue must be addressed rapidly as possible. It is know that the kingdom there is barbaric,cruel and crazed..money does not buy sanity or principled behaviour. The same can be said of death row in the states where most are not represented other than by a second rate public defender that sells out his clients for the most part - who are usually un-educated and poor...there are too many executions in the states. The numbers are much to high for what is percieved as a civil society. Public lashing is horrendous...BUT - when the use of water bording is considered good behavour state side - then we have a serious problem as far as moral decay - that will in time spread and rot our nation. I just hope someone with a voice steps up and brings about some order.