A former Mohegan Sun marketing director charged with embezzling tens of thousands of dollars from the casino entered a not guilty plea today in Norwich Superior Court.

Lynn A. Foster, 35, of Salem, was arrested Aug. 1 and charged with first-degree larceny following a lengthy investigation by the Mohegan Tribal Gaming Commission and detectives from the state police casino unit. The investigation focused on Foster's alleged theft of about $20,000 worth of "non-gaming comps" and $15,000 in gift cards intended for "high-caliber gaming patrons," according to an arrest warrant affidavit.

Such comps are typically exchanged for complimentary meals and merchandise inside the casino.

Foster, represented by Norwich attorney Paul Chinigo, appeared before Judge Arthur Hadden, who set a pre-trial hearing in the case for Oct. 5. Asked by the judge how she pleaded, Foster said "not guilty," and did not otherwise speak.

Outside the courtroom, Chinigo declined to comment on the case.

Mohegan Sun fired Foster from her job as director of slots marketing in November, after discovering she and other employees possibly had been involved in billing irregularities. Foster allegedly requested and diverted to her own use a $2,500 gift card from Crystal Mall, and admitted taking $11,765 worth of gift cards from May to September 2011, according to the affidavit.