Elizabeth Gutfahr, a former Santa Cruz County Treasurer from Rio Rico, Arizona, has been sentenced to 10 years in prison. On June 23, 2025, United States District Judge Rosemary C. Márquez issued the sentence following Gutfahr's guilty plea to charges of embezzlement by a public official, money laundering, and tax evasion. In addition to her prison term, Gutfahr will undergo three years of supervised release and is required to pay approximately $51.8 million in restitution to Santa Cruz County and the United States Treasury.
U.S. Attorney Timothy Courchaine commented on the case: “The people of Santa Cruz County and all Arizonans have a right to expect their elected leaders to serve with integrity and in the best interest of their constituents.” He added that Gutfahr’s actions were not only about stealing money but also about betraying voter confidence.
FBI Phoenix Special Agent in Charge Heith Janke stated that Gutfahr would be held accountable for using her position for financial gain at the expense of county residents. Janke emphasized the negative impact of her actions on county operations and reiterated the FBI's commitment to investigating public corruption cases.
Special Agent in Charge Carissa Messick of the IRS Criminal Investigation Phoenix Field Office remarked on Gutfahr’s violation of duty by enriching herself with public funds meant for protection. Messick assured taxpayers that efforts continue to root out corruption at all levels.
Court documents revealed that during her tenure as treasurer from 2012 through 2024, Gutfahr embezzled approximately $38.7 million by wiring funds from county accounts into fake company accounts she created. The stolen funds were used for personal expenditures including real estate purchases, ranch renovations, cattle business expenses, and buying vehicles.
Gutfahr executed around 187 wire transfers over a decade by bypassing the two-step approval process using another employee’s token. She concealed her scheme through falsified accounting records and failed to report stolen funds as income for taxes.
The investigation was conducted by the FBI and IRS-CI with prosecution led by Assistant U.S. Attorney Jane L. Westby and Senior Litigation Counsel Nicholas W. Cannon.
