Paralyzed Man Says Producer Facing Scam Charges Also Took His Money

Convinced that his life story was going to be made into a movie, a San Pedro man paralyzed in a surfing accident nearly 30 years ago said he was duped out of $50,000 by a Hollywood producer who is now accused of swindling millions from scores of people who invested in his phantom series about the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.

Joe Martinez, who has used a wheelchair since his 1977 accident at Cabrillo Beach, went public with his accusations Monday outside a federal courthouse in Los Angeles, where Joseph M. Medawar, a short time later, pleaded not guilty to charges of wire fraud, money laundering and obstruction of justice in the DHS investment case.

Martinez’s allegations are under investigation, sources said.

“I want my money back. But what I really want is to produce our movie,” Martinez said before the arraignment.

Medawar, arrested last month after a yearlong investigation, is being held without bail in a federal detention center. His trial was set for Dec. 13 before U.S. District Judge Robert M. Takasugi.

Medawar’s attorney, Jeffrey H. Rutherford, declined to comment on Martinez’s claims. But he said his client was innocent in the DHS case.

“He has the support of his family and is a proud and faithful American who believes in the laws of this country and the American justice system,” Rutherford said. “He and his family look forward to him having his day in court.”

Martinez was 16 when he lost the use of his legs and arms, ruining his hopes of becoming a professional surfer, he said during a news conference outside the courthouse. Former welterweight champion Carlos Palomino buoyed his spirits and the two forged a friendship that still exists, Martinez said.

The pair thought their dream of a movie about their friendship had come true when a Hollywood writer introduced them to Medawar more than a year ago. At their first meeting, Martinez said, Medawar gave him a business card identifying himself as a producer at Steeple Entertainment Ltd., the name of the company purportedly producing the Homeland Security series.

Medawar also gave him a second business card identifying him as a senior advisor to Los Angeles County Sheriff Lee Baca and member of Baca’s Multi-Faith Advisory Council Board.

Baca spokesman Stephen R. Whitmore said Monday there was no current record of Medawar on the council, but he was checking to see if a prior record existed.

Martinez said Medawar asked him to pay him $50,000 for the costs of a “prior placement memorandum” that would help interest investors in the project.

Palomino and Martinez formed a partnership, and a close friend of Martinez’s family, longshoreman Pete Torres, lent them the money, Martinez said.

Martinez provided television stations with a copy of a March 2004 trailer for the film, which depicted Medawar talking about the story of the boxer and surfer.

Martinez said he subsequently had a few lunch meetings with Medawar, but that the producer finally stopped returning calls. Alison Heruth-Waterbury, who also appeared in the trailer and was to be the lead actress in the DHS series, responded to attempts at contact with a short e-mail, suggesting they get in touch with Medawar, Martinez said.

About September 2004, Martinez said, he filed a complaint at the Los Angeles County sheriff’s station in Lomita, and said that a deputy had accompanied him to the Medawar family jewelry store in Palos Verdes.

Lt. Greg Ahn of the Lomita station said he could not immediately confirm the existence of the report.

There, Martinez said, one of Medawar’s brothers facetiously offered to give him a couple of Rolex watches and “call it even.” Martinez said he left the shop, saying he knew the brother wasn’t serious. Medawar’s family and his lawyer declined to answer questions.

Martinez said an FBI agent interviewed him by phone and asked for a copy of the trailer.