A former county treasurer, Elizabeth Gutfahr, has pleaded guilty to charges of embezzlement, money laundering, and tax evasion after stealing over $38 million in county funds between 2012 and 2024. Gutfahr, who served as the elected treasurer of Santa Cruz County, Arizona, from 2014 to April 2024, admitted to transferring funds from county accounts to her personal bank accounts for personal use.
Gutfahr confessed to wire transferring Santa Cruz County funds to her personal Wells Fargo and Bank of Montreal accounts without authorization, totaling $38,712,100. She also used fake business accounts to conceal the transfers, acknowledging that these actions were meant to embezzle the county's funds.
Her attorney stated that Gutfahr is taking responsibility for the harm caused to Santa Cruz County and is committed to being accountable for her actions. Gutfahr's guilty plea reflects the Justice Department's dedication to combating public corruption and holding officials accountable for their actions.
Gutfahr, who has been released on bail and surrendered her passport, is set to be sentenced on February 6, 2025. She faces a potential prison term of up to 35 years and must pay restitution of $38 million to Santa Cruz County, along with $13,143,526 in federal taxes for the years 2014 to 2023.
