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

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

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

The newspaper reported Friday a statement issued by Republican Party Chairman Charlie Webster and former chairman Mark Ellis said 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 newspaper said her attorney, Francis Griffin, said the case is ongoing and declined comment.