AUGUSTA -- An Embden woman has been indicted on charges of embezzling almost $50,000 from the Maine Republican Party.

Constance A. Wilkins, 64, is accused of committing felony theft and forgery between March 25, 2005, and Sept. 1, 2008, while working at a Waterville accounting firm. She handled the bookkeeping for the party.

The indictment was handed up Thursday by a grand jury in Kennebec County.

An indictment is not a determination of guilt, but it indicates that sufficient evidence is present to proceed with formal charges and a trial in superior court.

A statement issued by Republican Party Chairman Charlie Webster and former chairman Mark Ellis says unauthorized expenditures were discovered by party treasurer Phil Roy and executive director Julie O'Brien.

"Ms. Wilkins has admitted in writing to embezzling a significant amount of money from the state party and abruptly resigned in September of 2008 after being questioned," they said.

The full statement is available on a Web site

Wilkins worked for the accounting firm of Nicholson & Associates, P.A.. Her attorney, Francis J. Griffin, said the case is on-going, and has declined comment at the present time.