Rio Arriba Sheriff’s secretary Patricia Salazar never had access to the stamp of her boss Joe Mascareñas’ signature nor the cash box seized by State Police, according to Salazar and Mascareñas.
In a previous story, Mascareñas said Salazar had access to a stamp of his signature allegedly used by administrative assistant Jackie Martinez to commit fraud against the County. Salazar has since said she never had access to that stamp. Mascareñas said he assumed Salazar did use the stamp because there were so many timesheets for the two of them to approve in the absence of a supervisor, but never saw her do so.
Mascareñas previously also told the SUN that Salazar had access to a cash box that State Police seized as part of their investigation, even though State Police had to utilize a locksmith to remove the box because no one but Martinez had a key to the drawer where it was kept. Salazar said she never had access to the box, but put money and checks into it through an open slot in the desk.
Mascareñas confirmed Tuesday that Salazar was correct.
“I really thought (Salazar) had a key,” Mascareñas said. “I don’t know why.”