TUCSON, Ariz. (KGUN) — More than $2 million in spending is being covered by taxpayer dollars. Santa Cruz County alleges former state Treasurer Elizabeth Gutfahr had her son and daughter-in-law deposit the amount onto their credit cards. Santa Cruz County said the payments to the card account were part of the $38 million Gutfahr allegedly stole from the Santa Cruz County Treasury Department.
When former Santa Cruz County Treasurer Elizabeth Gutfahr was accused of taking more than $38 million in county money, people asked what she did with it. Now, a court-appointed administrator says her son and daughter-in-law spent more than $2 million on everything from Gucci fashion items to trips to Disney.
Elizabeth Gutfahr has not been charged criminally, but a civil lawsuit seeking to recover funds from Santa Cruz County alleges she used county funds to purchase a large collection of ranches and other properties. claims to have done so.
The judge in the case appointed a trustee to manage and sell the property.
The receiver now wants to take over management of the property from his son Davian and his wife Anna.
Court documents allege that trustees discovered more than $2.2 million in purchases from Davian and Anna on Elizabeth Gutfahr’s American Express card over the past six years.
Prices include $175,000 at Amazon, $63,000 at Walmart, and over $26,000 at Disney.
According to the report, Davian and Anna Gutfahr spent more than $37,000 at Gucci and more than $15,000 at Louis Vuitton. The recipient says the Uber ride cost him more than $21,000.
The recipient told the judge that those expenses and more were funded by Elizabeth Gutfahr, and Santa Cruz County should be able to recover the money.
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Craig Smith is a reporter for KGUN 9. With more than 40 years of reporting in cities like Tampa, Houston, and Austin, Craig has covered more than 40 space shuttle launches and historic hurricanes like Katrina, Ivan, Andrew, and Hugo. Share your story ideas and important issues with Craig by emailing Craig.smith@kgun9.com or connecting on Facebook. Twitter.
