Draper hearing delayed

By Elizabeth Hardin-Burrola
Staff Writer

GALLUP — Today's probation revocation hearing for Geraldine Draper has been continued until early January 2007.

Draper, 46, aka Geraldine Cavanaugh and Geraldine Gillson, had been scheduled to appear in Apache County Superior Court for a probation revocation hearing this morning in St. Johns, Ariz.

Draper is currently being held by Apache County authorities. Her new probation revocation hearing has not been scheduled. The continuance was granted to give Draper's attorney time to consult with Draper and prepare for the hearing.

In 2003 Draper pleaded guilty to an embezzlement charge in Santa Fe, N.M., two dozen embezzlement charges in Gallup, and theft charges in Sanders, Ariz. In each case, Draper was sentenced to pay restitution and serve probation. Draper is currently serving five years probation from the Apache County, Ariz., case and the McKinley County case in Gallup.

Authorities in Apache County asked for a probation revocation hearing after learning about embezzlement and fraud allegations against Draper by one of her previous employers in Phoenix. That employer has filed a $1.4 million civil suit against Draper and David V. Draper, the artist Draper claims is her current husband. The couple has also been named in several other civil lawsuits in Maricopa County, Ariz.

Draper is also facing new theft charges in Maricopa County. One of Draper's former landlords filed a police report with Scottsdale Police claiming that when evicted for failure to pay rent, Draper stole the entire contents of the expensively furnished Scottsdale condominium.

Reporter Elizabeth Hardin-Burrola can be contacted at (505) 863-6811 ext. 218 or ehardinburrola@yahoo.com.