Former Business Manager Gets 6-Year State Prison Sentence

Eleanor Jane Zapanta of Guerneville was sentenced Tuesday for multiple counts of grand theft from the Center for Spiritual Living located on Occidental Road. 

The Honorable Judge Gnoss sentenced Zapanta, 51, to a stipulated six-year state prison sentence.  Zapanta received the aggravated term of three years on the first grand theft charge, concurrent sentencing on the second, and an additional three years consecutive based on the aggravated white collar enhancement.

“We will continue to aggressively prosecute those who take advantage of their position of trust for financial gain," said Sonoma County District Attorney Jill Ravitch.  "I encourage every organization, and private party, to carefully audit those involved in financial management.”

Zapanta was working as the Center for Spiritual Living’s business manager from 2004 to 2010.  During this time, she exploited her position of trust by falsifying financial records, manipulating audits, and thwarting internal security controls, Ravitch said.

Zapanta was removed from her position in 2010 after a business reorganization. 

Spanning seven years, amount of the loss to the Center is approximately $712,948.46.

The case was investigated by Santa Rosa Police Detective Mark Azzouni and prosecuted by Chief Deputy District Attorney Bill Brockley.