After stealing over $38 million in county funds between 2012 and 2024 to renovate her ranches, purchase at least 20 cars, and cover personal expenses for herself and her family, the former county treasurer entered a guilty plea on Thursday to charges of embezzlement by a public official, money laundering, and tax evasion.
From 2014 until April 12, 2024, Elizabeth Gutfahr was the elected treasurer of Santa Cruz County, Arizona. According to court filings, she moved money from Santa Cruz County bank accounts to a Bank of Montreal account and her personal Wells Fargo Bank account over part of that period.
For the purpose and as a necessary measure, I wired Santa Cruz County cash from the county’s checking and savings accounts.
