Embezzlement Charges at UM

A University of Montana employee, Christine Rose Bitterman, was charged Thursday with five counts of felony theft for allegedly taking rent payments from residents at University housing and depositing the money in her own account. According to charging documents, Bitterman allegedly took over $304,000 from 2003 until 2010. Missoula County Attorney Fred Van Valkenburg says after a University investigation, charges were filed against Bitterman..

Van Valkenberg says Bitterman could face up to 50 years in prison if convicted on all charges. Judge John Odlin set bail at $100,000.