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Gutfahr Admits Guilt in Plea Bargain, Awaits Sentencing
By Nisa Talavera
“You abused your position as the Santa Cruz County Treasurer,” Judge Eric J. Markovich said as he addressed Elizabeth Gutfahr during her court appearance on Thursday, Nov. 21 in Federal District Court in Tucson. When he then asked Gutfahr, “Did you know you were stealing these funds?” she answered, quietly and with no emotion, “Yes, sir.”
Seven months after evidence of wrongdoing by the former Santa Cruz County treasurer was first uncovered, Gutfahr pleaded guilty to three federal charges: embezzlement, money laundering and tax evasion.
During the hearing, Gutfahr, who was dressed in black and appeared to have lost a significant amount of weight, looked sullen and despondent as she listened to Judge Markovich read the list of felonies she is charged with, as well as the the maximum penalty for each count: embezzlement—punishable by ten years in prison with $250,000 in fines and five years of mandatory supervision; money laundering—punishable by 20 years, with $500,000 in fines and restitution and eight years of mandatory supervision; and tax evasion—punishable by five years in prison with $100,000 in fines and restitution and three years of mandatory supervision.