News Summary
Two former employees of California State University, Long Beach have been charged with stealing over $36,000 through fraudulent timesheets. The defendants, Oscar Perez Almanza and Hender Noe Maxwell, allegedly colluded to certify false hours of work, impacting both students and taxpayers. As they await trial, the incident has raised concerns over accountability in public institutions.
Long Beach Shocked by Employee Fraud at CSU
The quiet skies of Long Beach took a dramatic turn recently as two former employees of California State University, Long Beach, found themselves embroiled in a scandal involving theft that has left many scratching their heads. The campus community is buzzing with disbelief after Oscar Perez Almanza, 39, and Hender Noe Maxwell, 38, were charged with making off with a staggering sum of over $36,000 through fraudulent timesheets.
A Sneaky Scheme Unraveled
It all started when *frighteningly similar patterns* emerged between January and December of 2022. Both Almanza and Maxwell concocted a scheme so intricate that it seemed almost professional. The duo allegedly certified hundreds of hours of work that never actually happened—a brazen act of deceit that has shocked the educational community and taxpayers alike.
Maxwell, who used to work in the *Athletics Department*, supposedly submitted false timesheets even after he left his position at CSU. And here’s where it gets even more scandalous: Almanza, who was still working as a *field supervisor* at the same time, is accused of knowing full well that Maxwell was no longer on the payroll, yet he approved those bogus hours anyway. Talk about a calculated team effort!
Money for Nothing
What happened next? Well, once CSULB handed the money over to Maxwell, it appears that he didn’t keep all of it to himself. In an allegedly tidy operation, he shared the spoils with Almanza, making it a *well-coordinated caper* rather than just a one-man job.
Unfortunately for them, the authorities eventually caught wind of what was happening. Both defendants pleaded *not guilty* during their arraignment on March 3, 2025, but the charges are serious. They face one felony count of conspiracy to commit grand theft and one felony count of grand theft, which could land them up to three years in county jail if found guilty.
Public Outrage and Consequences
With the situation still unfolding, District Attorney Nathan Hochman expressed outrage over these actions, emphasizing that both students and taxpayers suffer when trust is broken in this way. After all, public funds are not just numbers—these are hard-earned dollars from individuals who expect transparency and honesty in their institutions.
Prosecutors have labeled the alleged offenses as indicative of *planning, sophistication, and professionalism*, raising questions about how such deceit could happen unnoticed for so long. This brings to light not just the actions of the two men but also the larger issues of oversight and accountability in public institutions.
The Road Ahead
As they await the outcomes, both Almanza and Maxwell have been released on their own recognizance, but there’s a catch—they’ve had to surrender their passports. They won’t be going anywhere until their legal proceedings have reached a conclusion. A preliminary hearing is set for April 14, 2025, at the Central Arraignment Courthouse, which promises to draw attention from not only the school community but also taxpayers keen to see justice served.
The investigation was carried out by the CSULB Police Department, with prosecution in the capable hands of Deputy District Attorney Robert Zoumberakis from LADA’s Public Integrity Division.
As it stands, these charges remain allegations, and both defendants are currently presumed innocent until proven guilty. All eyes will certainly be on the upcoming hearing as the tale continues to unfold.
Stay tuned for updates on this unfolding story as Long Beach grapples with the fallout from this dubious fraud case.
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Author: Anaheim Staff Writer
Anaheim Staff Writer The Anaheim Staff Writer represents the experienced team at HEREAnaheim.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Anaheim, Orange County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as major conventions at the Anaheim Convention Center, including NAMM and VidCon, exciting games at Angel Stadium and Honda Center, and developments at Disneyland Resort Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Anaheim Chamber of Commerce and Visit Anaheim, plus leading businesses in hospitality, entertainment, and innovation that power the local economy As part of the broader HERE network, including HERECostaMesa.com, HEREHuntingtonBeach.com, HERESantaAna.com, and HERELosAngeles.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Southern California's dynamic landscape.
