Fmr. Santa Cruz County Treasurer Pleads Guilty to Embezzlement

TUCSON, Ariz. (KGUN) – Elizabeth Gutfar, former Santa Cruz County Treasurer, pleaded guilty Thursday morning to federal embezzlement chargesmoney laundering and tax evasion.

Gutfar was accused of stealing more than $38 million into Santa Cruz County money by transferring it to private bank accounts. Court documents allege that in one year alone, she transferred more than $11 million from county accounts to her own.

Gutfar will be released pending her sentencing hearing in February 2025. She also agreed to restitution, according to a magistrate judge’s order to pay as much of the more than $38 million in public funds as possible. Additionally, part of this restitution includes $13 million in fines owed to the IRS.

KGUN 9 received the following statement from her lawyer:

“Liz Gutfar wants to take responsibility for the damage she caused to Santa Cruz County. She knows that by pleading guilty and accepting the punishment she faces as a result, she is taking a step in the right direction to take responsibility for her actions. Today was just a step, albeit an important one, on the path to redemption, and she will work to stay on this path for the rest of her life.”

Before federal charges were filed, Gutfar was sued in Santa Cruz County civil court. She cooperated with the civil court to get the money back, although the court-appointed receiver handling the sale of the property said he may be able to recover only about one-third of the loss.

SEE BELOW | Federal criminal embezzlement charge against former Santa Cruz treasurer

Federal criminal embezzlement charge against former Santa Cruz treasurer

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