*Editor's note: The video for this story mistakenly lists the 2017 Yamaha Viking VI UTV twice.
TUMACACORRI, Ariz. (KVOA) — Several vehicles belonging to a former Santa Cruz County Treasurer have been seized from his Tumacacorri home, according to a recent FBI notice.
According to a recent FBI notice, several vehicles belonging to a former Santa Cruz County treasurer have been seized from his home in Tumacacori.
Viewers may recall that in April, the bank reported 11 suspicious transactions totaling nearly $4 million to Santa Cruz County.
It emerged in April that the FBI not only searched Elizabeth Gutfer's home, but also seized nine of her vehicles.
Gutfer is a former Santa Cruz County Treasurer and a resident of Santa Gertrudis Lane in Tumacacori, an unincorporated community north of Nogales, Arizona.
She resigned in April, the same month Santa Cruz County received notice from Chase Bank that $4 million in county funds had disappeared.
“We're very interested in whatever property is seized because if it's purchased with county funds, it gives us an opportunity to do some remediation or get some of our funds back,” said Manny Ruiz, chairman of the Santa Cruz County Board of Supervisors.
News 4 Tucson took a closer look at the FBI notice and was able to determine the type of vehicle that was seized.
The vehicles seized and associated amounts are as follows:
• 2021 Cadillac Escalade SUV, $74,750
• 2021 Ford Expedition SUV, $46,150.
• 2022 Honda SxS1000 Pioneer UTV, $10,959
• 2017 Yamaha Viking VI UTV, $7,195
• 2015 Mercedes-Benz G550 SUV, $71,900
• 2020 Jeep Gladiator Rubicon SUV, $35,325.
• 2023 Jeep Grand Wagoneer SUV, $83,550.
• 2016 Land Rover Discovery SUV, $18,700.
• 2017 Ford F350 truck, $49,225
The total value of the vehicles is approximately $400,000.
“Honestly, I was a little surprised. There were luxury cars and off-road vehicles, so it didn't feel like a necessity,” Rio Rico resident Gregory Benoit said.
While Gutfer has not been formally charged with any crimes, Santa Cruz County residents like Benoist say such developments will aid the FBI in its investigation.
“The sooner we can do this, the sooner we can prevent something from being moved,” Benoit said.
Where that money went is a question Santa Cruz County is trying to avoid asking in the future.
The county recently hired another deputy county manager.
“We want that person to have access to the bank. No one, including the finance department, has access to the bank accounts that the finance officer controls because that's her role and her statutory duty. We're going to change that and make it tougher,” Lewis said.
All of the vehicles seized from Gutfahr were seized on different dates between April 16 and April 24, 2024.
