WISCASSET -- Town Clerk Sandra Johnson has been arrested on a charge of theft by deception.

Johnson, 45, was booked at Two Bridges Jail around 4:30 p.m. Thursday and released after posting $20,000 unsecured bail, said Col. Mark Westrum, jail administrator.

Jail records show she was charged with a Class B offense, which means the value of the alleged theft exceeds $10,000, said Geoff Rushlau, the district attorney for Lincoln County.

Johnson, the town clerk for 12 years, was fired from her municipal post today, said Town Manager Arthur Faucher.

In a written statement, Faucher said auditors had discovered questionable accounting practices in areas for which she was responsible.

Johnson worked at the counter in the town office, and her responsibilities included motor vehicle registration fees, where the irregularities apparently occurred, the statement said.

"The amount of money at issue, if any, is not known at this time," Faucher's statement said. "We do not know and would not comment on how many irregularities have occurred."

He said the town has insurance to cover any lost revenues.

Johnson could not immediately be reached for comment.