Woman pleads guilty to embezzling from car dealership

BILLINGS (AP) — A Billings woman has admitted stealing over $288,000 from a Billings car dealership over a period of about nine years.

The Billings Gazette reports 51-year-old Renee Ann Zinnecker pleaded guilty Tuesday to wire fraud during a hearing before U.S. District Judge Susan Watters.

A plea agreement calls for another wire fraud charge to be dismissed and for Zinnecker to pay $288,254 in restitution. Sentencing is set for Jan. 27.

Prosecutors allege that Zinnecker embezzled cash while working as an office manager at Lithia Chrysler, Jeep, Dodge from 2005 to 2014.

Zinnecker said she spent the stolen money on groceries, clothes, utilities, her children’s cellphone bills and to pay off medical bills. She admitted using some of the money to eat out and see movies.