A former Greater Norwich Area Chamber of Commerce employee accused of embezzling nearly $55,000 from the agency appeared in court Thursday. She received a continuance.

Jennifer Chauvin's next court date is Dec. 5. She did not enter a plea.

Chauvin, 43, of Hanover has been charged with first-degree larceny, The Day reported on Oct. 26. According to an arrest warrant, she had worked for the chamber from Aug. 8, 2014, until she was fired on Oct. 19, 2018. During those four years, she is accused of embezzling $54,919.15 from the chamber.

Chauvin was fired for breach of trust and performance issues unrelated to the theft, the warrant said.

Police say Chauvin had used a Visa credit card, issued to the chamber from Eastern Savings Bank, for her own personal expenses. Two chamber board members, both certified public accountants, confirmed the findings and determined 1,264 transactions were not for official chamber business, according to the warrant.

In an interview with Norwich police, Chauvin admitted in a sworn statement that she understood the business Visa card she used was not meant for personal expenses, but that she was struggling financially when she was first hired. She also said that she used the card for almost all of her family's everyday expenses in 2018, the warrant said.

Police said Chauvin acknowledged and took full responsibility for the $54,919.15 she is charged with embezzling.

Her bond initially was set at $30,000.

Sten Spinella contributed to this report.