SANTA CRUZ, Ariz. (KVOA) — The Santa Cruz County Board of Supervisors will hold a special meeting today at 4:15 p.m. to appoint an interim County Treasurer.

This follows the April 12 resignation of former county treasurer Elizabeth Gutfer.

The Supervisory Board issued the following statement:

On April 3, 2024, JPMorgan Chase, the County's financial institution, notified Deputy County Manager Mauricio Chavez of reported financial irregularities in County accounts managed by the Treasury. The Santa Cruz County Treasurer is the County's financial manager, including all bank accounts, and is responsible for the management and control of cash and securities. Deputy Manager Chavez followed procedure and immediately notified County Manager Jesus Valdez to review the reports provided by JPMorgan Chase. After consulting with County Attorney George Silva, the County took steps to lock all accounts and remove access to them from the County Treasurer and his office. The Arizona Office of the Auditor General was alerted, and the County has initiated an investigation led by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and is fully cooperating. This investigation is ongoing.

On April 8, 2024, County Manager Valdez, Deputy County Manager Chavez, and County Attorney Silva provided Treasurer Gutfer with notice of a special meeting of the Board of Supervisors to be held on April 15, 2024 for the purpose of 120 day paid suspension as permitted by Arizona law. On April 11, 2024, Treasurer Gutfer submitted his letter of resignation via email to County Manager Valdez, effective April 12, 2024.

The County Board of Supervisors, through the County Attorney's Office, has retained a firm for financial consulting and forensic analysis. Santa Cruz County will continue to cooperate with the FBI and the Arizona Office of the Auditor General during their investigation. As stewards of public funds and trust, we take this matter seriously and will take any action appropriate to the outcome of this investigation.