AUGUSTA – An Augusta woman has pleaded guilty to stealing more than $48,000 from her employer.

Charlene A. Henderson, 35, had been indicted in March by the Kennebec County grand jury on one count of theft by deception. She entered her plea Wednesday.

Henderson, a former bookkeeper at Employment Specialists of Maine, issued checks to herself and her creditors between Jan. 1, 2000, and Dec. 31, 2001, according to Alan Kelley, deputy district attorney.

Henderson admitted stealing the money when Jean Gallant, the company’s president, and another worker confronted her, Kelley said. Henderson was fired Dec. 17.

Kelley said he and Henderson’s lawyer, Steven Parker, had agreed to a sentence of no more than eight years, with all but one year suspended, and four years of probation. Henderson is scheduled to be sentenced Nov. 4 in Kennebec County Superior Court.

Employment Specialists of Maine is a rehabilitation program for people with disabilities.