Embezzler gets prison time, ordered to pay back $160,000

A former employee of Montana Academy, a therapeutic boarding school west of Kalispell, was sentenced to nearly two years in prison and ordered to pay $160,000 in restitution Thursday after she admitted to embezzling thousands of dollars from the school.

Cynthia Jane Rasmussen, 55, of Kalispell, was sentenced to 21 months in prison by U.S. District Judge Charles Lovell in Helena after Rasmussen earlier pleaded guilty to wire fraud.

Rasmussen worked in the business office of the private school from 2004 to February 2008. 

The school operates on a remote ranch near Marion about 40 miles west of Kalispell and specializes in educating and treating psychologically troubled teenagers.

According to an offer of proof filed by Assistant U.S. Attorney Timothy Racicot, Rasmussen admitted to an employer on Feb. 14, 2008, that she stole approximately $10,000 by making unauthorized payroll deposits.

A week later, she told administrative staff that she had actually taken approximately $72,000.

A subsequent review of bank records showed that between 2005 and 2007, $420,000 was transferred from the Montana Academy to accounts controlled by Rasmussen, though that money included her annual salary of $40,000.

Rasmussen embezzled funds by writing herself multiple checks, increasing her salary when processing payroll electronically and using a company credit card for personal expenses.

According to the offer of proof, Rasmussen continued writing herself checks even after she was placed on administrative leave in February 2008.

The investigation was conducted by the U.S. Secret Service and U.S. Homeland Security.