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Santa Maria investment advisor pleads guilty to fraud

March 4, 2025

Julie Darrah

By KAREN VELIE

A financial advisor from Santa Maria, who signed a plea agreement late last year, pleaded guilty at a hearing today to defrauding her clients and an out of state business out of millions of dollars.

Julie Darrah, 52, who had offices in Arroyo Grande, Orcutt and Lompoc, admitted to defrauding her clients out of $2.25 million and an out-of-state business out of  $5.4 million in a plea agreement with Justice Department officials.

Darrah is slated to be sentenced to no more than 12 years and seven months in prison, according to the plea agreement. In addition, the plea agreement requires Darrah to pay restitution of approximately $7.7 million.

She remains out of jail on $50,000 bail.

Darrah’s sentencing hearing is scheduled for May 19.

 


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My parents were clients of hers. They once trusted and respected her. She would come to their home for appointments and one time I decided to “visit” them and work out of room at their house on the day of one of their scheduled appointments with her because I was suspicious of her after some of the things my mom told me she suggested to her during prior appointments such as listing her as Trustee over the children, AND making her signator of one of her accounts. After all of this, her boyfriend still washes cars for many of Julie’s former clients. I think this is weird. Although some of her former clients allow this, I hope he doesn’t get too comfortable and knows that the kids do not trust him and are keeping an eye on things.


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I agree. My neighbor used her and didn’t realize until the news first broke, that Julie was the trustee on her account. My neighbor is not elderly, has grown children and a capable husband, but didn’t pay attention. Thankfully she didn’t lose any money and got Julie removed but it took a little bit of time. Julie was very smooth and sneaky. She also purchased a lot of real estate and has been quietly selling it, some for under market to make a quick sale.


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