Santa Rosa Police arrested a local attorney on charges of embezzlement and fraud in connection with the theft of more than $500,000 from trust funds he was managing.

Michael Voorhees of Windsor faces seven felony counts, Santa Rosa Police Sgt. Chris Mahurin said Thursday.

“Based on interviews and evidence obtained through search warrants, detectives believe the suspect was illegally writing checks to himself from the trust accounts,” Mahurin said. “The embezzlement is estimated between $500,000 and $600,000.

This story is sad but important. It relays the importance of knowing who is appointed trustee and shows everyone how these trusts operate in the dark, outside any oversight from private or governmental agencies.

Isn’t it time living trusts were registered? We think so!