Gabriel Ibarra, a former manager of business development at Tucson-based Robbins Equipment Company (RECO), was indicted by an Arizona state grand jury in October 2019 on felony charges of theft, fraudulent schemes and artifices, and conspiracy. His wife, Valerie Ann Ibarra, was indicted alongside him. Prosecutors allege the couple took more than $100,000 from RECO between June 2014 and December 2016 by misusing company credit cards.1AZCentral. Couple Indicted on Charges Alleging Theft of More Than $100,000 From Tucson Business
What Prosecutors Allege
According to the indictment, Gabriel Ibarra used RECO credit cards to make unauthorized personal purchases during his employment with the company from 2014 through 2016. He is also accused of using a company card to make payments directly into his own Square account, effectively routing company funds to himself. Valerie Ann Ibarra is alleged to have conspired and participated in the scheme.1AZCentral. Couple Indicted on Charges Alleging Theft of More Than $100,000 From Tucson Business2Tucson.com. Tucson Couple Indicted in Alleged Company Credit Card Theft
The Specific Charges
Gabriel Ibarra faces one felony count of theft in the $4,000–$25,000 range covering June through December 2014, two felony counts of theft of $25,000 or more (one for 2015 and one for 2016), and one felony count of fraudulent schemes and artifices tied to the Square-account payments.1AZCentral. Couple Indicted on Charges Alleging Theft of More Than $100,000 From Tucson Business
Valerie Ann Ibarra faces one misdemeanor count of theft under $1,000, allegedly occurring between June and December 2014.
The couple is jointly charged with one felony count of fraudulent schemes and artifices, covering $100,000 or more in goods and services purchased on RECO cards between June 2014 and December 2016, and one felony count of conspiracy to commit fraudulent schemes and artifices and theft.1AZCentral. Couple Indicted on Charges Alleging Theft of More Than $100,000 From Tucson Business
Where the Case Stands
Then-Attorney General Mark Brnovich publicly announced the charges on November 13, 2019, following an investigation by the Tucson Police Department.3Arizona Daily Independent. Tucson Couple Charged With Stealing From Employer4KGUN9. Tucson Couple Indicted in Alleged Company Credit Card Theft As of the last available reporting, updated in June 2020, no trial date had been set and no defense attorney was publicly listed for either defendant.2Tucson.com. Tucson Couple Indicted in Alleged Company Credit Card Theft
No plea agreement, trial verdict, or sentencing has been identified in available reporting. The charges remain allegations, and neither Gabriel nor Valerie Ibarra has been reported as convicted in this matter.