In a Jan. 20, 2003, column, Martinez ridiculed Workman (whom he referred to as "Fancy Nancy") for installing lights and sirens on her county vehicle.

On June 24, 2002, Martinez wrote about a move by Workman to increase voluntarism by county workers, not on their own time but as part of their workday. "Someone should inform her that a volunteer is an unpaid helper. Someone should infuse the mayor with a little community spirit," Martinez wrote.

After saying last week he would appoint a special prosecutor only if the defense requested it, Yocom said Tuesday he changed his mind after Workman launched her ad suggesting she is being prosecuted for political reasons. Yocom also said his decision was fueled by Workman hiring Skordas, who is Yocom's former chief deputy.

"The public must be assured that the representation of the people in this case (will) be done without any taint of an unfair advantage or the inference that it is being done for political reasons," Yocom said Tuesday.

Martinez called Workman's attempt to have the case concluded before Nov. 2 "arrogant," given that other defendants are in jail waiting for their day in court.

Martinez will be paid $150 an hour in taxpayer dollars for his services. The county will pay for other staffers' time and expenses as needed. Yocom said the final bill could run into tens of thousands of dollars.

Workman is charged with two counts of misuse of public monies, one a second-degree felony and the other a third-degree felony, in connection with funds taken from the county's health department and used for the South Valley Boys and Girls Club, where Workman's daughter is employed.

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E-mail: lindat@desnews.com; aedwards@desnews.com