(The Center Square) – The Arizona Auditor General has confirmed that Santa Cruz County's former treasurer, who resigned in April, is suspected of stealing more than $39 million from the county.

“As part of its responsibility to prevent and detect fraud, Santa Cruz County officials reported the suspected financial misconduct by the former county treasurer to authorities and the FBI, and appropriate action was taken,” the Office of the Inspector General said.

The report determined former County Treasurer Elizabeth Gutfer committed 182 “alleged unauthorized tax transfers” between March 2014 and March 2024, adding that she “circumvented internal controls” to do so. Her office also reportedly submitted at least 76 “false and irregular monthly cash reconciliation” documents to county officials since 2017, and there may have been approximately 121 false treasurer reports since 2014.

The inspector general also recommended that the county prevent future cases of alleged large-scale misappropriation by public officials, most notably by requiring transactions to be recorded by employees who do not handle public funds, recording cash transactions in a “treasurer's journal,” and increasing oversight of the county board of supervisors and other county employees on how money is spent.

“The Treasurer had access to the Chief Deputy Treasurer's bank account credentials, which appears to have allowed her to conduct unauthorised and unmonitored transactions in the County Treasurer's Office account.” Report He stated.

Additionally, the comptroller's office is calling on state lawmakers to pass legislation that would give the state “independent access to financial institution records” and require new treasurers and their deputy treasurers to receive specialized training, which would be a countywide reform.

The former treasurer of a small southern Arizona county is being sued by the county and his family for making unusual purchases with taxpayer money while in office. Centre Square It was reported earlier this month.

“In short, for over a decade, Gutphul used county funds as his own piggy bank, purchasing items such as a ranch and vehicles and living an extravagant and lavish lifestyle,” the court said. document From the prosecution's argument.