Former CFO Gets 20-Year Sentence in Guardianship Fraud Case

SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — The former chief financial officer of a now-defunct nonprofit that provided guardianship services is going to prison in an $11 million fraud scheme case in which one co--defendant awaits sentencing and two others are now fugitives on the run.

A federal judge sentenced 64-year-old Sharon Moore to 20 years in prison on Monday and also issued arrest warrants for 73-year-old Susan Harris and 58-year-old William Harris after the Albuquerque married couple failed to appear for sentencing.

Susan Harris faced at least 30 years in prison while William Harris faced seven years. They pleaded guilty last year.

The couple had been free pending sentencing after surrendering their U.S. passports and putting up their home in an affluent Albuquerque neighborhood as security.

Their son, Craig M. Young, awaits sentencing after pleading guilty November 12, 2019.

.Moore pleaded guilty July 9 to conspiracy and financial crimes.

Federal prosecutors say the defendants used client trust, savings and other funds to finance a lavish personal lifestyle that included luxury vacations, and upscale homes and vehicles.

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Former CFO Gets 20-Year Sentence in Guardianship Fraud Case

New Mexico man pleads guilty in guardianship fraud case

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) — A New Mexico man accused of embezzling more than $4.8 million from trust accounts he managed for elderly and disabled clients has pleaded guilty to federal wire fraud and money laundering charges.

Authorities said Paul Donisthorpe entered his plea Monday, acknowledging that he looted his clients' accounts for personal gain.

As part of an agreement with federal prosecutors, the 62-year-old Bloomfield resident faces eight to 12 years in prison and will have to pay restitution and forfeit property in New Mexico and Texas. Sentencing has yet to be scheduled.

"This was a heartbreaking case of an individual stealing millions of dollars from elderly, disabled and other New Mexicans with special needs who depended on him to make sure their rent, medical bills and living expenses were paid," said FBI Special Agent in Charge Terry Wade.

The FBI, federal tax agents and state regulators teamed up to investigate the case.

Donisthorpe, a former Albuquerque resident and owner of Desert State Life Management, was accused of using the money he transferred from his clients' accounts to support a lavish lifestyle and concealed the theft by having his employees report incorrect balances.

In his plea agreement, Donisthorpe acknowledged that he provided trustee services and representative payee services to more than 75 clients. Court documents show the fraudulent transfers were done from at least 2009 through 2016.

In one case, he used the proceeds from the scheme to pay the mortgage for property related to his cattle business. He also spent money on business ventures, vehicles, credit card bills and a vacation home in northern New Mexico.

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New Mexico man pleads guilty in guardianship fraud case