MISSOULA-A Bozeman woman who worked as a bookkeeper for several businesses admitted this week to embezzling about $433,018 from the companies, U.S. Attorney Kurt Alme said.
Anna Michelle Niles, 47, pleaded guilty on June 3 to wire fraud. Niles faces a maximum 20 years in prison, a $250,000 fine and three years of supervised release.
U.S. Magistrate Judge Kathleen L. DeSoto presided. Niles was released pending further proceedings.
The prosecution said in court documents that from 2009 until 2018, Niles embezzled from Cresent Cross, LLP, Clair W. Daines, Inc., Genesis Partners, LLC, Bitterroot Turf Farm, Inc., and other related business entities while performing bookkeeping and accounting services. Niles defrauded the firms by diverting funds through checks, stealing cash, claiming leave she was not entitled to obtain, receiving unauthorized 401(k) loan payments and using business credit cards on personal expenses, none of which was authorized. The investigation found that Niles embezzled about $433,018 from the businesses. When interviewed by the FBI, Niles admitted to stealing from Cresent Cross, LLP, and writing checks from other businesses to cover up the fraud.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Ryan Weldon is prosecuting the case, which was investigated by the FBI.
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Source: U.S. Department of Justice, Office of the United States Attorneys
