LINDA OLESKY

IRON MOUNTAIN — A Crystal Falls woman accused of embezzling hundreds of thousands of dollars pleaded not guilty Friday in Dickinson County Circuit Court.

Linda Olesky, 67, is charged with embezzlement-$100,000 or more, a felony punishable by up to 20 years in prison.

Olesky waived arraignment and was not required to appear in court in person. The not guilty plea was entered on Olesky’s behalf by Dickinson County Circuit Judge Mary Barglind.

According to the criminal complaint, Olesky was designated a personal representative for an individual’s estate and converted more than $300,000 in cash and securities into an account exclusively in her name.

Olesky reportedly spent the majority of the assets for her own benefit, ignoring specific bequests to other individuals and organizations.

A pre-trial conference is set for March 15.