Kalispell, Montana woman pleads guilty to embezzlement

A 55-year-old Kalispell woman has pleaded guilty to embezzling hundreds of thousands of dollars from a therapeutic boarding school. Cynthia Jane Rasmussen pleaded guilty to wire fraud Wednesday before U.S. Magistrate Judge Jeremiah Lynch in Missoula. Sentencing is scheduled for Nov. 18. Under the plea agreement, Rasmussen admits embezzling hundreds of thousands of dollars from Montana Academy in Marion, where she worked from 2004 through February 2008. Prosecutors say Rasmussen wrote herself multiple payroll checks, increased her salary when she processed the payroll electronically and used a company credit card for personal expenses. Court records say she continued to issue herself checks from Montana Academy after the thefts were discovered and she was placed on administrative leave.