Jenna Glatzer (self described as "The Writer's Writer") discusses referrals, real and fake, in freelancing in the latest issue of Worldwide Freelance Writer. Long story short: Don't tell an editor somebody referred you to them if they didn't and if you are referred, use the referral as quickly as possible. Oh and if you are trying to to associate yourself with a particular writer, just make sure it doesn't sound like a referral.