BOSTON -- Campaign workers say embattled state Sen. Dianne Wilkerson, accused of taking thousands of dollars in bribes in exchange for her influence, may release a statement today against the federal corruption charges leveled against her.

Video | Undercover Photos | PDF: Criminal Complaint

About six workers were busy at Wilkerson's Tremont Street campaign office early Wednesday. Most wouldn't comment but one said Wilkerson may issue a comment later Wednesday morning.

The 53-year-old Democrat appeared in federal court Tuesday on charges of attempted extortion as a public official and theft of honest services as a state senator. She was freed on $50,000 bond and later picked up items from her Roxbury home, refusing to talk to reporters.

Wilkerson is preparing to address her constituents to tell her side of the story, friends said, even as federal officials prepare to pore over boxes of documents and files confiscated from her State House office.

The most damning evidence, however, may be photos taken by undercover agents as Wilkerson allegedly accepted thousands of dollars in cash bribes at Beacon Hill area restaurants in exchange for her help securing a liquor license for a nightclub and her influence designating state land for private development. One photo shows the senator allegedly shoving money into her bra.

"In total, Sen. Wilkerson allegedly accepted a total of $23,500 in cash payments," U.S. Attorney Michael Sullivan said.

Gov. Deval Patrick, who has supported Wilkerson in the past, reacted to the charges Tuesday night.

"If the issues are proven true she should resign, and I am deeply, deeply disappointed," Patrick said.

Senate president Therese Murray is already moving to strip Wilkerson of her committee chairmanship and other State House colleagues have called for Wilkerson's resignation.

"I've seen that and it saddens me. And I'm surprised, shocked and saddened," state Rep. Byron Rushing said.

"Service here is a privilege and should be treated as such. And when it's not, it's time for that person to leave the service," House Minority leader Rep. Brad Jones said.

Meanwhile, Wilkerson's attorney urged against a rush to judgment.

"Despite the pictures showed that the United States attorney has chosen to show just a week before the election, I'm sure you know that there's a context to every one of the interactions you've been told about," Max Stern said.

In Wilkerson's Second Suffolk district, her house was searched and evidence was confiscated. Her legal troubles are only the latest in a string of controversies that have swirled around her since her 1992 election to the State House, including tax evasion charges and accusations of lying in connection with a murder case.

Wilkerson moved to Boston from Arkansas with two sons, attending law school as a single mother. She launched her political career as an assistant legal counsel under former Gov. Mike Dukakis. She then became a lawyer and vice president for the local branch of the NAACP. She was known for her work on a 1991 pact made with former Boston Mayor Ray Flynn that aimed to end discrimination in public housing projects.

In 1992, she was elected to the state Senate, pushing for gay marriage, among other issues. Despite her own personal legal problems, she continued to win re-election in her district.

"There's a lot of people who have great affinity and adoration for her because of being hands on. She'd show up to somebody's cookout, a kid's graduation," one supporter said.

"She was excellent on the issues. She was dead on with what she said and, it's too bad," another said.

Wilkerson lost in the October Democratic primary race to challenger Sonia Chang-Diaz, but she was conducting a write-in campaign and had hoped to win re-election by going that route.

Wilkerson did not enter a plea during her court appearance Tuesday. She has a pre-trial hearing in Worcester on Nov. 17. She faces up to 20 years in prison and $250,000 in fines on each count.