Susan K. Harris, Guardianship Scam, New Mexico 2024

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Table of Contents

Harris Couple Sentenced for Guardianship Scam

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. – A Albuquerque couple, Susan K. Harris, 74, and William S. Harris, 60, have been sentenced to federal prison for their roles in a massive guardianship scam.

Susan Harris was sentenced to 47 years in prison, followed by three years of supervised release, while William Harris received 15 years in prison, also followed by three years of supervised release. Both will have to pay back the entire amount of stolen funds as restitution to the victims.

The couple, who operated Ayudando Guardians, Inc., a non-profit corporation that provided guardianship, conservatorship, and financial management services to hundreds of people with special needs, were charged with conspiracy to defraud the United States, mail fraud, aggravated identity theft, and money laundering.

Susan Harris, who was the 95% owner of Ayudando, pleaded guilty to conspiracy, mail fraud, aggravated identity theft, money laundering, and conspiracy to commit money laundering. William Harris, who worked as a guardian, admitted to knowing that his co-conspirators were siphoning payments from clients and using the money for their own benefit.

The investigation revealed that the couple used the stolen funds to fund an extravagant lifestyle, including purchasing homes, vehicles, luxury RVs, and cruises. They also used the money to pay for over $4.4 million in American Express charges incurred by the defendants and their families.

‘The sentences that the defendants have received today are just, and the defendants are fully deserving of them,’ said Fred J. Federici, Acting U.S. Attorney for the District of New Mexico. ‘The defendants’ conduct in preying upon individuals with special needs, who they were entrusted to protect, was both loathsome and contemptible.’

The couple’s scheme, which lasted from November 2006 to July 2017, involved unlawfully transferring money from client accounts to a comingled account without justification. They also wrote and endorsed numerous checks from these comingled accounts to themselves, family members, and other parties where payment would benefit their families.

Susan Harris took steps to maintain Ayudando’s appearance of legitimacy, including submitting a proposal to the New Mexico Office of Guardianship that contained numerous false representations. William Harris admitted to using an Ayudando corporate credit card for personal expenses, knowing that it would be paid for with client money.