A former treasurer from Santa Cruz County has admitted guilt in a case involving money laundering, embezzlement, and tax evasion.

SANTA CRUZ County, Arizona – The ex-treasurer, Elizabeth Guffer, confessed to misappropriating over $38 million in public funds over several years.

Her guilty plea came on Thursday, just days after federal charges were brought against several former officials in the county.

Guffer acknowledged that she had been fraudulently wiring money from county accounts and using those funds for personal gain, as outlined in her judicial agreement.

Allegations from prosecutors indicate that she used approximately $670,579 of the stolen funds to purchase a $1.2 million property. Shortly thereafter, she supposedly spent another $757,000 of public money to buy a $2.7 million ranch.

The documentation supporting the accusations states, “Defendant Guffer engaged in ongoing misconduct to conceal the true nature of the fraudulent wire transfers and her theft over time.”

Additionally, Guffer admitted to falsifying accounting records to mislead about the county’s financial situation.

“When I stole the funds from my Santa Cruz County savings account, I was fully aware that this money was meant to finance schools and fire departments in the area,” her agreement reveals.

She had been serving in office since 2013 but resigned earlier this year following the initiation of an investigation into the embezzlement. Santa Cruz County has also launched a lawsuit against the state and related auditors regarding the issue.

The county is seeking recovery of the stolen money through a separate lawsuit in court. The judicial agreement notes that Guffer is to compensate the county more than $387.7 million.

Her attorney conveyed a message on Thursday, stating, “Liz Guffer wishes to be accountable for the damage done to Santa Cruz County. She understands that pleading guilty is a step toward taking responsibility for her actions.”

Guffer’s sentencing is set for February 6, 2025.