AUGUSTA -- The fired finance administrator of the City of Gardiner has admitted embezzling $195,000 from city coffers between June 2002 and June of this year.

Patricia Coty, 55, of Gardiner pleaded guilty on Wednesday in Kennebec County Superior Court to charges of theft by unauthorized taking and forgery.

She has paid $100,000 in partial restitution to the City of Gardiner, according to court documents.

A sentencing recommendation offered jointly by the state and Coty's attorney, Walter McKee, would cap her jail time at nine months. McKee can argue for less jail time at a sentencing hearing to be scheduled in late September or early October, according to court records.

The underlying sentence would be six years in prison, with her serving up to nine months of that term, and three years' probation.

Coty remains free, with $50,000 worth of real estate posted as bail.