An Albert Lea woman charged with stealing more than $4,000 from the Freeborn County DFL Party pleaded not guilty on Thursday in Freeborn County District Court.

Laura Jean Walker, 38, is charged with financial transaction card fraud.

An investigation reportedly found 30 unauthorized transactions, two unauthorized fees and four unexplained deposits on the DFL account from Aug. 20, 2015, to Oct. 21, 2016. The total amount of unauthorized transactions and fees was $4,360 and four deposits that could not be explained were credited to the party’s account, leaving a $2,047 loss.

Walker reportedly stated she put about $2,000 back into the account, and was going to put the rest of the money back into the account when she got a job, but couldn’t because the account was frozen.

A settlement conference is scheduled for April 12, and a jury trial is scheduled for July 11, if the case has not been settled by then.