Woman denies embezzlement

A Whitefish woman has denied allegations she embezzled more than $2,500 from Safeway over a span of seven months.

Amelia Lathum pleaded not guilty Thursday in Flathead District Court to a felony charge of theft.

According to a court document, a loss prevention specialist for the company contacted the Whitefish Police Department after Lathum allegedly admitted to stealing from the store by taking money randomly from tills between November 2012 and June 2013.

During an interview at the Whitefish Police Department, Lathum again allegedly admitted taking the money, saying she took large bills from the tills while closing them out for the night. She allegedly said she took the money to pay bills and to buy food for her family.

A check of the company’s bookkeeping reportedly determined that tills were short approximately nine times while Lathum was working and that a total of $2,568.87 was missing.

If convicted, Lathum faces up to 10 years in the Montana State Prison and a fine of up to $50,000 as well as restitution.

She was initially incarcerated in the Flathead County Detention Center, where her bond was set at $5,000, which she posted.

Her next hearing is set for April 9.