ALBUQUERQUE – In a shocking turn of events, Ayudando Guardians, Inc., a non-profit corporation providing guardianship, conservatorship and financial management services to hundreds of individuals with special needs, has been shut down due to allegations of embezzlement and theft.
According to the U.S. Marshals Service, the organization’s business operations were taken over on July 19, 2017, after a 28-count indictment was filed against the company and its co-founders, Susan Harris, 70, and Sharon Moore, 62. The indictment alleges conspiracy, fraud, theft, and money laundering charges arising out of an alleged scheme to embezzle funds from client trust accounts.
The indictment alleges that Harris and Moore embezzled funds from client trust accounts managed by Ayudando, a non-profit corporation that provides guardianship, conservatorship and financial management services to hundreds of individuals with special needs.
The U.S. Marshals Service, under a protective restraining order issued by the U.S. District Court for the District of New Mexico, has taken control of Ayudando’s business operations and is facilitating the transfer of the company’s approximately 1400 clients to other service providers and/or new representative payees.
Ayudando clients who are still awaiting transfers will receive services from providers that have entered into agreements with Ayudando and the U.S. Marshals Service to provide temporary, interim services until long-term transfers can be accomplished.
The physical office space of Ayudando is now closed, but the U.S. Marshals Service remains responsible for managing Ayudando’s business affairs pursuant to the federal court order and remains committed to ensuring continuity of service for Ayudando clients.
Harris and Moore have entered not guilty pleas to the charges in the indictment and are under pretrial supervision and other conditions of release pending trial, which has yet to be scheduled.
Key Facts
- State: New Mexico
- Category: White Collar Crime
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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