CHEROKEE — An employee of the Cherokee Tribal Emergency Medical Services has been charged with embezzlement.

The Asheville Citizen-Times reported that Amanda Leigh Smoker is accused of taking money over a 15-year period.

Smoker pleaded not guilty in U.S. District Court in Asheville last week.

She is charged with embezzlement from an Indian tribal organization, wire fraud and money laundering.

She worked as an administrative assistant for Cherokee Tribal Emergency Services. The indictment states the money was taken between 1996 and 2011 in Swain County. The indictment does not say how much money was taken.

The principal chief of the Eastern Band of the Cherokee Indians, Michell Hicks, would not comment. Smoker could not be reached for comment.