One current and one former employee of the athletics department at Cal State Long Beach are accused of stealing more than $36,000 from the school by lying about the hours worked in 2022, according to Los Angeles County prosecutors.

Oscar Perez Almanza, 39, and Hender Noe Maxwell, 38, were charged with one count each of felony conspiracy to commit grand theft and one count of grand theft. Prosecutors in a Monday, March 3 statement alleged that Almanza and Maxwell’s actions would require planning a professional operation to steal funds.

In 2022, Maxwell was a former groundskeeper for the school’s athletic department, prosecutors allege he submitted timesheets that falsely claimed he worked hundreds of hours. Almanza, a field supervisor at the university, reportedly approved the hours, even though he knew Maxwell no longer worked for the athletics department.

Once the university paid Maxwell, prosecutors allege he split the money with Almanza. In total, they reportedly stole $36,560 from the university.

Maxwell and Almanza pled not guilty at their arraignment Monday. The court released the defendants on the condition that they relinquish their passports. Their preliminary hearing is scheduled for April 14.

If convicted, they could face three years in county jail.