Former UM Housing Employee Sentenced For Theft

A former University of Montana housing employee accused of embezzling more than $300,000 has been sentenced to 20 years under the supervision of the state Department of Corrections with 15 years suspended.

District Judge Dusty Deschamps sentenced 49-year-old Christine Bitterman on Tuesday and ordered her to pay the money back with 10 percent interest.

Prosecutors say Bitterman skimmed money from cash payments while she worked for Montana Residence Life. A university audit showed Bitterman took $334,958, but a 10 percent administrative fee for processing her restitution will bump that amount higher.

The scheme ran from 2003 through July 2010, and Bitterman pleaded guilty in August to five felony counts of theft.

Associated Press