ASPEN — An alleged embezzler is allowed to remain employed as a bookkeeper in New Mexico, a judge said Monday.

Marlana Lu Howell, 42, is accused of bilking more than $600,000 from Anderson Ranch Arts Center, a nonprofit in Snowmass Village, from May 2007 through July. She waived advisement of 42 felony counts Monday in Pitkin County District Court in Aspen.

Howell, who appeared in court with her attorney, Dan Shipp of Basalt, has lived in Santa Fe since her August arrest. Her bond conditions forbid her from being employed in a position of financial trust.

Chief Deputy District Attorney Arnold Mordkin told Boyd that while it did not appear as if Howell breached the bond conditions with her website, “I think it violates the sprit of the bond conditions.”

Shipp argued that Howell is playing by the rules. He noted that Howell notified her employer of the charges, and as a bookkeeper, she does not handle money.

“She does not sign checks and does not have access to any financial instruments,” Shipp said.

He also said that her website, which advertised her business as Atkinson Accounting Services, was put up before she secured the bookkeeping job. The website no longer operates.

Boyd suggested that Howell could continue working as a bookkeeper.

“I don't plan to intervene with this job,” he said.

However, he told Howell she needs to keep him apprised of future money-related jobs she might take.

“The defendant needs to provide notice to the court ... when she decides to take on any work that relates to financial transactions,” he said.

rcarroll@aspentimes.com