Former Eegee's employee faces prison for embezzling $425K

Amy Paulette Montano, 40, was indicted in June on seven felony charges including fraud, money laundering, illegal control of an enterprise and theft.

Montano was the account manager for Miller Administration, which owns Eegee's, and was responsible for payroll checks and bills, according to court documents.

In the fall of 2010, Montano admitted to the company president she had been writing checks to herself weekly for more than three years, despite the fact her paycheck was direct deposited, court records indicate.

Montano explained that she would write in the books that her checks were going to a utility company and other companies. She then cashed the checks at a market that didn't require identification.

Detectives discovered Montano and her husband bought a 2006 Chevrolet Corvette and 2007 Chevrolet Avalanche worth a combined $100,000 at the end of 2006, and although they made several late payments at the beginning of their loans, began making timely payments once she took the job at Eegee's.

When Miller Administration officials called authorities, they knew they were missing $150,000; a forensic auditor discovered more than $400,000 missing, court documents state.

Montano pleaded guilty in Pima County Superior Court to illegal control of an enterprise and theft Monday.

Montano is facing between two and 8.75 years in prison on the enterprise count, but if she shows up for her sentencing hearing Jan. 9, she is guaranteed probation on the theft count. If she fails to attend the hearing, Judge Howard Fell can impose a prison sentence of between three and 12 1/2 years on the theft count and run it consecutively to the other sentence.

Assistant Arizona Attorney General Michael Jette said the theft was discovered while Miller Administration was in the process of buying Eegee's restaurants.

Montano will be required to pay Eegee's $423,243 in restitution.

Contact reporter Kim Smith at 573-4241 or kimsmith@azstarnet.com