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.