Washington ? A former employee of a fundraising firm has admitted stealing nearly $18,000 from a political action committee for Kansas Sen. Pat Roberts.

Melissa Thomas pleaded guilty in federal court in Washington to one count of forgery for signing checks totaling $17,825.12 in 2007.

The money was taken from Preserving America’s Tradition, or PATPAC, which is the political action committee of the Kansas Republican.

Thomas, 34, worked for Winfrey and Co., a fundraising consultant based in Alexandria, Va. The firm did work for Roberts’ PAC, managing their bank account, authorities said.

Brandon Winfrey, head of the company, said he had no idea that Thomas had been stealing money and notified authorities when he found out. The firm no longer works for PATPAC, he said.

Thomas faces as much as 10 years in prison, but she would likely receive a much lesser sentence under federal guidelines.