AUGUSTA -- A woman accused of embezzling $50,000 from the Maine Republican Party has pleaded not guilty to theft and forgery charges.

Constance A. Wilkins, 64, is facing the charges in connection with bookkeeping work she did for the Republican party between March 25, 2005 and Sept. 1, 2008.

Wilkins, of Embden, was working for a Waterville accounting firm at the time, handling the GOP bookkeeping.

A Kennebec County grand jury indicted Wilkins earlier this month. She posted $1,500 cash bail.

Party treasurer Phil Roy and executive director Julie O'Brien discovered the unauthorized expenditures, the party said in a statement released earlier this month.

Wilkins allegedly took small amounts of money over the 3 1/2-year period.

Party officials said they would work to recover the lost funds. They retained Roger Katz as the party's attorney.

Wilkins worked for the accounting firm Nicholson & Associates, P.A., in Waterville.

Maine State Police investigated the case.

She entered her plea this morning in Kennebec County Superior Court.