AUBURN (AP) — A Livermore woman accused of obtaining more than $10,000 worth of welfare benefits she was not eligible for has pleaded not guilty.

Tiki Thomas was released on personal recognizance after pleading not guilty to 20 counts of theft, welfare fraud, forgery and other charges Thursday in Androscoggin County Superior Court.

Authorities say the 35-yearold Thomas obtained state and federal benefits over a four-year period that ended last year by saying she wasn’t getting child support when she really was, or that she was working in a low-paying job.

The Sun Journal reports that the theft charge carries a sentence of up to 10 years in prison.

The indictment said she falsified a six-month report for the food stamps program.