C-Falls woman charged with embezzlement

A 43-year-old Columbia Falls woman pleaded not guilty to a felony charge of embezzlement on April 25. Aimee Gress faces from one to 10 years and up to a $50,000 fine if convicted.

According to court records, the owner of Glacier Marble and Granite, in Kalispell, contacted the Flathead County Sheriff’s Office on Jan. 15 and claimed his bookkeeper had embezzled $11,493 from his business account with Glacier Bank.

Two days later, the owner and another man conducted a voluntary recorded interview with Gress in which she allegedly confessed to taking the money. She allegedly gave the owner $275 in her possession, resigned and signed a confession form.

Gress was interviewed by a sheriff’s detective and a Secret Service agent on Feb. 7. After she agreed to speak without her attorney present, Gress allegedly confessed to writing 10 checks to herself between Nov. 1, 2012 and Jan. 15 totaling $11,493 and spending all but the $275 she had returned.

Gress was booked and released and has a public defender. Her next hearing is set for June 12.