Santa Cruz County supervisors meet behind closed doors over treasurer investigation | News

NOGALES, Ariz. (KVOA) – The Santa Cruz County Board of Supervisors held a special meeting Friday morning in connection with the ongoing investigation into possible misappropriation of taxpayer funds.

There was no audience at the meeting as the only item on the agenda was a discussion during a closed session.

The supervisors met behind closed doors for about an hour before adjourned without public discussion.

Chairman Manny Ruiz told News 4 Tucson that there is very little that can be said as the FBI continues its investigation into former Treasury Secretary Elizabeth Gutfahr.

“I know we have an auditor working on it. He provides weekly reports to our staff,” Ruiz said.

He was unable to share the latest update.

Gutfahr resigned from her post last month, and days later her home was raided by the FBI under a search warrant. No criminal charges have been filed against her.

Some Santa Cruz County residents tell News 4 Tucson they are losing faith in their elected officials. Alex Chamberlain asks why it took so long for the discrepancies to be discovered.

“Taxpayers’ money should be used properly and we should be able to trust the people in government in this city,” he said.

“It puts every elected official in a bad light. We try to be as transparent as possible with the public so as not to hinder the federal investigation,” Ruiz said.

Ruiz said he hopes they can provide a public update in about 60 days, but he is not bound by the time frame. He said they will take their time and “get it right” before further updating the public.

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