Menlo Park Twin-Sister Therapists Take Plea Deal In San Mateo Co. Fraud Scheme

SAN MATEO COUNTY, CA - A pair of Menlo Park therapists took a plea deal and will serve up to a year in jail after they were charged with swindling San Mateo County by getting paid for therapy sessions for victims of violent crime that never occurred, prosecutors said. 

Lorie Palmer and Marlie Palmer, 39-year-old twin sisters, pleaded no contest Thursday to charges of misappropriation of public money and grand theft in connection with the scheme.

Over two years working with the county, the bilingual therapists submitted bills for payment for providing therapy to victims of violent crime and their families that didn't happen, according to prosecutors.

The Palmers were on a referral list with the Victim Services Division of the San Mateo County District Attorney's Office and were paid through a compensation program.

Marie Palmer overbilled the county for $27,136, and Lorie Palmer overcharged $27,648, which prosecutors said was determined in a state audit.

As part of the plea deal, the sisters will serve up to a year in county jail. Prosecutors were seeking two years in state prison for them.

The Palmers will return to court Aug. 10, when they will be formally sentenced. They remain out of custody on $100,000 bail, prosecutors said.

The attorneys representing the Palmers were not immediately available for comment.

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