A former Flathead County Sheriff’s Office employee has pleaded guilty to felony theft after embezzling tens of thousands of dollars from the employees association.

Nicole Fister, 36, of Kalispell, entered her plea Dec. 12 in Flathead District Court. It was part of a deal that includes a recommended sentence of five years to the Montana Department of Corrections followed by five years of probation, although she can argue for a lesser sentence.

The plea agreement does not address the amount of restitution. Fister has admitted only that she illegally cashed 30 or more checks totaling more than $30,000, while more than $90,000 has been reported missing.

Fister told a detective that she used some of the money for personal expenses and gave money to her son and daughter.

The thefts were discovered in mid-April and investigated by the detective division of the Sheriff’s Office and the Flathead County Attorney’s Office.

The money was stolen from the non-sworn arm of the Flathead County Sheriff’s Office Employee Association, a nonprofit that supports charitable causes with the money that is collected from membership dues and fundraising. No public or Sheriff’s Office money was stolen.

A sentencing hearing has been set for Feb. 6.