A New York teacher could face up to 15 years in prison for accepting $73,000 in workers’ compensation benefits while working at a youth sports camp.

Kathy M. Martinez, 56, of Ulster Park, N.Y., began collecting benefits after claiming injuries suffered from a fall while employed as a Spanish teacher in the Kingston School District in 2005, according to the New York State Insurance Department.

Investigators with the department’s frauds bureau found that Martinez was handling payroll and other business services at the youth camp while simultaneously collecting disability benefits. Martinez is accused of stating on three separate occasions that the injury from her fall prevented her from working.

The benefits she received were paid through Ulster County, whose self-insured workers’ compensation plan covers the Kingston School District.

State police arrested Martinez recently and charged her with insurance fraud and workers’ compensation fraud. She is scheduled to appear for a hearing Oct. 26.