A woman recognized for her volunteer work has been charged in Santa Barbara County Superior Court in Santa Maria with one felony count of embezzlement for stealing from a nonprofit organization that serves the Los Alamos Valley.

Laura Beas-Diaz, 40, has been accused of embezzling funds from the Los Alamos Valley Men’s Club, according to the criminal complaint.

The complaint stated that the embezzlement involved “an amount exceeding $950, after having been entrusted with property or effects with the intent to deprive the owner of its use.”

Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office investigators previously said the loss topped $10,000. 

The alleged crime occurred between Jan. 1, 2024, and July 31, 2025, according to the criminal complaint. 

Beas-Diaz voluntarily turned herself in at the Santa Barbara County sheriff’s substation the evening of Sept. 15 after investigators obtained a $50,000 warrant for her arrest.

She was released from the Northern Branch Jail in Santa Maria on a bail bond several hours later.

The county District Attorney’s Office filed the criminal complaint on Oct. 8.

Her arraignment hearing is set for Nov. 18 in Superior Court in Santa Maria.

The Men’s Club, which also includes women, works to advance the well-being of Los Alamos and its surrounding communities, with a strong emphasis on supporting youths. 

The 80-year-old organization obtains donations and holds fundraisers to provide its assistance. 

Members also organize the annual Old Days celebration held in late September.

For many years, Beas-Díaz volunteered for various organizations in the Los Alamos Valley, and often stepped up to help individuals in need in the community as she became known as the person to call in a crisis.

Her efforts led to her recognition last year as one of the Champions of the Valley at the Santa Ynez Valley Foundation’s annual awards event.

In recent years, Beas-Díaz served on the Olga Reed School’s PTSA board, served as a community outreach coordinator for the Los Alamos Foundation, and delivered meals for Feed the Valley to local seniors and low-income families.

In 2023, she rode in a place of honor as grand marshal in the Old Days parade.

As of her arrest, she remained listed on the Friends of the Los Alamos Cemetery website as a board member, but her name and photo have since been removed. 

Four years ago, she and her family were among Los Alamos residents to lose their homes in a fire at the Rancho Alamo Trailer Park, leading the community to rally to support them.

A GoFundMe site collected more than $25,000 in donations for her family, more than efforts for others who lost their homes.

The Men’s Club also planned a fundraiser to assist the residents of the four homes.