Rowe pleads not guilty to embezzlement

A Bigfork woman pleaded not guilty to a felony charge of theft by embezzlement on Feb. 14.

Liana Rose Rowe, 45, was charged with stealing $5,380 by failing to load cash into an automated teller machine (ATM) on the property of the Bigfork Stage Stop.

Rowe, who had been manager of the gas station and convenience store, was released on her own recognizance on Jan. 31, a Flathead County District Court official said.

Bigfork Stage Stop owner Ron Brevick contacted the Flathead County Sheriff’s Office on Oct. 10 about $5,380 in missing funds, according to documents in Rowe’s court file.

Special Agent Tadd Downs of the U.S. Secret Service and sheriff’s Det. Bret Childers went to Rowe’s residence on Dec. 18. Rowe agreed to come to the sheriff’s office for an interview, where she confessed to taking the money that she was supposed to put into the ATM, the court file states.

If convicted, Rowe faces up to 10 years in prison and a fine of up to $50,000 as well as restitution.

Rowe’s next court date is May 8.