[{"_1":2,"_87":-5,"_88":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6164373,"mediaKeyId","5428755-7481a79748a733361ecd902fdf864f62","parentId",5428755,"title","New Santa Cruz County treasurer cites local roots, bank experience as basis to modernize office","audioSeconds",464,"startMs",101000,"endMs",565000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5428755-7481a79748a733361ecd902fdf864f62&start=101&end=565","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5428755-7481a79748a733361ecd902fdf864f62/thumbnail_101000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6164373/Santa-Cruz-County/Arizona/New-Santa-Cruz-County-treasurer-cites-local-roots-bank-experience-as-basis-to-modernize-office","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6164373-7a0267f63ffca180f007384c7c397aa8/orig.mp4?Expires=1770767831&Signature=m6SIxJYAFd5ZW50Cl3z06rYv3LsVfMbjOEXvHPOrtyMr0Df-ganN61n10WtnJkw8kzK6WGzinS8MQIvUrlpZx6iCTYmU2XKQLqlryLPUbuJ21YC6bzatYOg8WiIZX1hV27hsx2bTnakhJkpkdK~x2nQKzNh7Xntj~jLz4L2H40EkS6f9RtLZ25Aej4p25VeJQITgvXUMojDN93wHv64fK2~wVFWx8~nAh5OsJ9H-OkIgHKlb5YoYJEG1mrdllPFyt~XRhlvhw-neVtnrXPNaAHb3JEm4aFEL-L-qjwuoHT33tu-eSlx6tjFSVyjnIC32FhjDTpB86wVuRPw1uqoH-A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Santa Cruz County, AZ ","date","2025-07-19T11:20:22.697Z","article","Santa Cruz County Treasurer Alejandro Paz said during a recorded podcast interview that he is a native of Nogales, Arizona, graduated Nogales High School in 2007 and received a bachelor's degree in interdisciplinary studies with concentrations in business and tourism from Arizona State University. \"I am a native from Nogales. I am born and raised here in Nogales, Arizona. I am a 2007 class graduate from Nogales High School and then I received my bachelor's degree... at Arizona State University,\" Paz said.

Paz said he was appointed to the treasurer's position on May 7 and officially started May 13, 2024. He cited an 11-year career with Wells Fargo as his primary professional qualification, describing roles from teller to Southern Arizona regional manager for the Wells Fargo at Work program. \"That experience really helped me be set up for this job,\" he said.

Paz said his approach will emphasize visibility and community engagement. He cited low participation in some county events and said bridging the divide between county officials and residents requires mutual effort. \"We need to learn how to work together, not against each other,\" he said. He described operational changes in the treasurer's office as starting \"from scratch\" to improve efficiency and service.

Paz acknowledged criticism and social media narratives but said he is focusing on building a resilient approach and separating personal responses from administrative duties. He said his open-door policy includes invitations to visit the office, call or email for questions and updates.

No formal policy changes or personnel actions were described in the interview; statements reflect the treasurer's intent and priorities rather than enacted decisions.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Alejandro Paz, Treasurer","oneSentenceSummary","Appointed May 7 and sworn in May 13, 2024, Santa Cruz County Treasurer Alejandro Paz described his local background, education and 11-year Wells Fargo career and said he plans to modernize the treasurer's office through visibility, community outreach and internal reorganization.","taxTitle","Santa Cruz County, Arizona","taxId",27865,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6164378,"Santa Cruz County treasurer says $38.7 million embezzlement is primary focus, pledges transparency",102,263000,365000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5428755-7481a79748a733361ecd902fdf864f62&start=263&end=365","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5428755-7481a79748a733361ecd902fdf864f62/thumbnail_263000.jpg","/articles/6164378/Santa-Cruz-County/Arizona/Santa-Cruz-County-treasurer-says-387-million-embezzlement-is-primary-focus-pledges-transparency","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6164378-13d783e6ea88f7aad79ed21b233354f2/orig.mp4?Expires=1770767831&Signature=VON9qQQAorV~4CinG0JjY6hllINPO-ZA0FienZIrdHMrIuybHjIRej8DTB2M62yzXR1J65KBUGF5lMobe261crAsocEBDAnz7pt2Nl4wLi-6q0~qlCgbLelh3s9c3cArnmQWros3VLYAX7oytyYs2oWosufPyDLOxBx7lwoEyZ96SRqKYIK4Bp5uwITYsYZJin4rqBcJdluO~aFQhtf2tycPdAfLwkq6Rp3MRmSVk4Iv1nyS79DXzsxITAKa-VOzCjhKkSKA3DbbzTTIUJKt1aAT06IoIEOtVb4T0fS7Yk0hML04luBPThC6ZkDejIEugvxLRVHPAqd0rEcwSsb1Ow__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Santa Cruz County Treasurer Alejandro Paz said during a recorded podcast interview that his office is concentrating its resources on an ongoing embezzlement case involving $38,700,000. \"I'm really hyper focused on one main current event... the embezzlement of the $38,700,000. It's very time consuming, and that's where my focus is at right now,\" Paz said.

Paz said the investigation has consumed much of his time but that he does not plan to remove public attention from the treasurer's office. \"The focus can stay on the treasurer's office because as the elected official, it's my responsibility to be transparent and to do the people's work that they have voted me and elected me to do,\" he said, adding that he will maintain an open-door policy, regularly attend board meetings and provide updates to the public.

The treasurer described criticism on social media and community skepticism as common for elected officials and said he has tried to respond by increasing visibility and availability. \"Being visible, being available as well with my open door policy to come visit, call, email, I think making myself available is one huge thing that past treasurers have never done,\" he said.

Paz also said the office is being reorganized: staff and procedures are being reviewed and operations \"flipped\" and revamped to run \"a smooth, effective, and efficient office.\" He did not provide a timetable for resolving the embezzlement investigation or for when any recovered funds, if any, might be available, and he did not identify investigative agencies or legal authorities involved during the interview.

No formal actions, votes, or legally binding directives were discussed or recorded in the interview. Paz's remarks were made in the context of a podcast conversation with hosts Samuel Acosta and Natalia Flores and do not constitute a public hearing or official county meeting action.","Santa Cruz County Treasurer Alejandro Paz told podcast hosts he is concentrating the treasurer's office on an ongoing $38,700,000 embezzlement case, describing it as time-consuming and pledging open-door transparency and regular updates to the public.","actionData","errors"]

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New Santa Cruz County treasurer cites local roots, bank experience as basis to modernize office

Santa Cruz County treasurer says $38.7 million embezzlement is primary focus, pledges transparency