(AZ Free News) – A former longtime public servant in Santa Cruz County has been sentenced to a decade in federal prison after pleading guilty to stealing tens of millions in taxpayer funds.
On Monday, U.S. District Judge Rosemary C. Márquez sentenced 63-year-old Elizabeth Gutfahr of Rio Rico to 120 months in prison, followed by three years of supervised release. In addition, she was ordered to pay roughly $51.8 million in restitution to Santa Cruz County and the United States Treasury.
Gutfahr, who served as county treasurer from 2012 to 2024, admitted to orchestrating a wide-ranging fraud scheme that funneled approximately $38.7 million in county funds into fake companies she created. According to court documents, the companies conducted no legitimate business and were used to conceal the embezzlement.
“This sentence shows that abuse of public trust will be punished,” said U.S. Attorney Timothy Courchaine. “Ms. Gutfahr stole more than money from the people of her county — she betrayed the confidence of the voters who elected her.”
Over the course of ten years, Gutfahr executed nearly 200 fraudulent wire transfers. She circumvented internal financial safeguards by using the digital authentication token of a subordinate employee, allowing her to both initiate and approve transfers without oversight. She then falsified county records and investment reports to cover her tracks.
Federal investigators say Gutfahr used the stolen money to fund a lavish lifestyle, purchasing at least 20 vehicles, making real estate investments, and financing improvements to her family’s ranch and cattle business. None of the stolen funds were reported on her federal tax returns.
“Each act of greed and dishonor negatively affected fundamental aspects of the county’s operations,” said FBI Phoenix Special Agent in Charge Heith Janke. “The FBI continues to investigate public corruption cases, and we remain committed to identifying and pursuing those who violate the public’s trust.”
IRS Criminal Investigation Special Agent in Charge Carissa Messick echoed the sentiment. “Taxpayers deserve to know that their elected leaders are working in the community’s best interest — not just their own.”
The case was investigated by the FBI and IRS Criminal Investigation. Prosecutors included Assistant U.S. Attorney Jane L. Westby and Senior Litigation Counsel Nicholas W. Cannon of the Justice Department’s Public Integrity Section.
Gutfahr’s scheme unraveled after discrepancies were discovered during an internal audit, leading to a joint federal investigation and her eventual arrest and guilty plea to charges of embezzlement by a public official, money laundering, and tax evasion.
