SAN BERNARDINO (AP) — Seven current and former members of the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department have been charged with falsifying training documents to boost their pay.

The employees, including a retired assistant sheriff, were indicted last week on charges of perjury, grand theft and conspiracy. They face up to five years and eight months in prison if convicted.

Four pleaded not guilty during their arraignments Tuesday.

The alleged scheme involved falsifying documents to show that deputies attended training classes that they never took. District Attorney Mike Ramos says that allowed them to receive pay and retirement benefit increases that could be worth as much as $100,000.

At a Tuesday news conference, Sheriff Rod Hoops called it a “very disappointing day” for his department. He says the current employees have been placed on leave.

(© Copyright 2011 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)