A former top aide to Bill Clinton when he was governor of Arkansas has pleaded not guilty to charges of trying to smuggle contraband into a prison.

Betsey Wright is accused of trying to smuggle tattoo needles, a box cutter, a knife and tweezers into the Varner Supermax Unit while visiting a death row inmate in May.

The 66-year-old Wright entered the plea Wednesday in a court filing in Lincoln County Circuit Court.

The filing by defense attorney Jeff Rosenzweig also waives her arraignment, which had been set for next week, and asks for a jury trial.

Rosenzweig declined to comment on Wright's defense other than to say she's not guilty.

Wright was Clinton's chief of staff for seven years and worked on many of his campaigns.