A Deer Lodge woman accused of stealing more than $150,000 from the Powell County Ambulance Service is expected to answer to charges in District Court Tuesday morning.

Michelle Boese will make her initial appearance and arraignment before District Judge Ray Dayton at 10 a.m., Powell County Attorney Lewis Smith said. She is charged with forgery by common scheme and theft, both felonies. 

Boese allegedly stole a little more than $156,000 for the forgery charge and more than $3,700 for the theft charge from December 2007 to September 2009.  She worked as treasurer for the ambulance service. 

Also expected in court tomorrow is Louis Paul Coughlin who is charged with assault on a peace officer, criminal endangerment and fleeing a peace officer.  He is accused of crashing into a patrol vehicle during a high speed chase. Both were treated for injuries.

(From the archives)

A former bookkeeper for the Powell County Ambulance Service was arrested on embezzlement charges this week.      

A complaint has been filed against Michelle Boese, according to county attorney Lewis Smith.

The Powell County Sheriff's Office is investigating missing money, but neither the sheriff nor the county attorney will say how much was taken.

If convicted, Boese could spend up to 10 years in prison and face up to a $50,000 fine, Smith said.

Gilman Construction of Butte confirms that Boese is also an employee there, but there are no formal complaints filed against her in Silver Bow County.