The former manager of a Portland apartment building pleaded not guilty this morning to a charge of stealing more than $260,000 from the owner of the 30-unit high rise.

Thomas Abbott, 56, appeared in Cumberland County Superior Court with his lawyer, Peter Evans. Abbott was indicted by a grand jury last month, and he remains free on personal recognizance.

Abbott had been the resident manager for more than a decade at the Northgate Apartments at 231 State St. Investigators say Abbott stole the money over a period of more than two years, beginning in May of 2006. He allegedly took rent payments from tenants and deposited them in a personal account, while telling property owner Beverley Knudsen the units were empty or the tenants were not paying.

Knudsen and her son Erik Knudsen, who has managed the building since July, attended the arraignment this morning.

Investigators and the prosecutor assigned to the case have declined to comment on what Abbott allegedly did with the stolen money. Erik Knudsen, however, said today that Abbott spent most of the money at casinos and various gambling facilities around New England, including Hollywood Slots in Bangor. Knudsen said that claim is supported by bank records obtained by Portland detectives.

"He spent his account to zero every month," Knudsen said. He hopes that his mother will be able to recoup some money from Abbott, but he said the chances of that happening are slim.

Abbott and his lawyer declined comment after the arraignment. The next court date is a status conference for the case, set for March 11.

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