The former bookkeeper of Precision Motors in Groton is accused of stealing more than $23,000 from the company between September 2015 and August 2016.

Lynne W. Lee, 57, of 20 Main St., No. 4, Mystic, pleaded not guilty to first-degree larceny during an appearance Tuesday in New London Superior Court.

According to an arrest warrant affidavit written by town police Officer Daniel Wilczek, business owner Vicki LaFrance called police in August after discovering that the the gross profit for cash and personal checks for one day did not match her bank deposit ticket. LaFrance researched the gross profit for previous days and noticed similar losses of about $100 a day. She said she confronted Lee, who was unable to account for the discrepancy and admitted she had been taking $100 or $200 a day in cash after counting the money and would subtract the amount when filling out a bank deposit slip.

In a statement to police, Lee said she used the money for medication for her husband, who was terminally ill with cancer, and for other expenses. The total amount taken was $23,726.90, according to the affidavit.