ROCHESTER -- Fifteen construction company workers have been charged with stealing more than $100,000 from an upstate New York county by submitting falsified bills and time cards.

Officials in Monroe County, which encompasses Rochester, claimed the men drew county wages for time they didn't work or while carrying out private jobs.

One of them, Robert Morone, is a county employee at an engineering company that does contract work for the county. The Gates resident supervised the others, who work in various building trades. They all pleaded not guilty Thursday to larceny charges and were released.

Maggie Brooks, Monroe County's chief executive, says the size and scope of the theft could grow as the sheriff's department investigation, which began in June, unfolds.