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Former Santa Cruz County Treasurer Sentenced to 10 Years in Federal Prison for $38 Million Theft

Elizabeth Gutfahr, who once managed the finances for Santa Cruz County, was ordered to serve a decade in federal prison after being convicted of embezzling close to $39 million over ten years.
Gutfahr pleaded guilty in November to embezzlement, money laundering, and tax evasion after county, state, and federal agencies investigated suspicious transactions following her April 2024 resignation.
She transferred funds to fraudulent companies over 180 times, using the stolen money to upgrade her residence, acquire over 20 vehicles, and purchase several properties, with the financial loss primarily impacting local schools and fire districts.
Judge Rosemary Marquez ruled the sentences run concurrently, ordered restitution exceeding $38 million plus $13 million in back taxes, and stated the crime was unprecedented in harming the county budget.
Gutfahr was taken into custody immediately, she expressed remorse, and efforts are ongoing to recover stolen assets to restore public trust in Santa Cruz County government.

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Former Santa Cruz County Treasurer sentenced to 10 years in federal prison for $38 million theft | News Channel 3-12

By Craig Smith Click here for updates on this story TUCSON, Arizona (KGUN) — Ten years of stealing millions in taxpayer money has led to ten years in Federal Prison for former Santa Cruz County treasurer Elizabeth Gutfahr. She stole more than 38 million dollars from Santa Cruz County taxpayers. Elizabeth Gutfahr pleaded guilty to embezzlement and tax evasion in November. As she headed to Federal court Monday she knew her attorney and prosecu…

13 days ago

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Arizona Daily Independent

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Former Santa Cruz County Treasurer Sentenced For Stealing Over $38 Million From County

The former Santa Cruz County treasurer, Elizabeth Gutfahr, has been sentenced to 120 months in prison after pleading guilty to Embezzlement by a Public Official, Money Laundering, and Tax Evasion. The 63-year-old Gutfahr's prison sentence is to be followed by three years of supervised release. She was also ordered to pay approximately $51.8 million in...

13 days ago

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Nogales International

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Gutfahr sentenced to decade in prison

With several Santa Cruz County officials and community members sitting in the gallery Monday afternoon, a U.S. District Court judge handed down a prison sentence for former County Treasurer Elizabeth Gutfahr.

14 days ago

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Tucson

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Ex-Santa Cruz County treasurer who stole nearly $40M given 10 years in prison

Gutfahr, 63, stole nearly $40 million from Santa Cruz County over a 10-year span. She was sentenced in Tucson Monday afternoon.

14 days ago·Tucson, United States

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AZCentral

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Former Santa Cruz County official who embezzled almost $40M to serve 10 years in prison

The sentence comes months after former Santa Cruz County Treasurer Elizabeth Gutfahr pleaded guilty to embezzling $38.7 million from 2014 to 2024.

14 days ago·Phoenix, United States

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KVOA

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Former Santa Cruz County treasurer sentenced after $38M embezzlement case

One of Arizona's largest government embezzlement cases concluded as Elizabeth Gutfahr, the former Santa Cruz County treasurer, learned her sentence. Gutfahr pleaded guilty to stealing nearly $40 million from taxpayers.

15 days ago·Tucson, United States

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