PORTLAND – The former controller of Bowdoin College has pleaded innocent to charges that he stole more than $50,000 from the school.

Gary A. Plante, 32, of Lewiston is charged with four felony counts and one misdemeanor count of theft by unauthorized control of currency.

He was arraigned Tuesday at Cumberland County Superior Court.

Plante remains free on bail while awaiting trial. If convicted, he faces up to 10 years in prison.

Plante was indicted by a grand jury last month. The criminal indictment came seven months after Bowdoin College filed a civil lawsuit against Plante.

Bowdoin College has asked the court to force Plante to pay restitution, along with other damages, including costs and attorneys’ fees.

While working at the school in Brunswick, Plante was responsible for managing accounts, financial accounting and reporting.

According to the school’s suit, Plante opened the account and used a signature stamp to set up the account so that only one signature was required for transactions. Plante withdrew a total of $50,545.59 in three transactions between January and April and deposited the money into an investment club for which he served as treasurer.

The suit accuses him of then withdrawing the money and using it for a deposit on a house in Lewiston, among other things.

According to court records, Plante admitted taking the money when confronted by the college’s associate treasurer, Gerald L. Boothby, last June.