Four staffers from the Guam Office of Civil Defense, including the agency’s top administrator, have pleaded not guilty in an ongoing corruption case tied to questionable spending flagged in government audits.

Patrick T. Leon Guerrero, Michael Taijeron, Marie Quenga, and administrator Charles Esteves appeared in superior court Thursday and entered not guilty pleas. Their attorneys waived the right to a speedy trial and requested a jury trial.

Each faces misdemeanor charges of certifying officer malfeasance and official misconduct, along with a special allegation of committing a crime against the community.

A fifth employee, Joel Valenzuela, did not enter a plea. He told the court he hadn’t secured legal counsel. Magistrate Judge Sean Brown ordered him to contact the Public Defender Service Corporation and return to court on May 15.

Leon Guerrero, Taijeron, Esteves, and Valenzuela were each released on $1,000 personal recognizance bonds. Quenga, who also faces a third-degree felony charge of tampering with public records, was released on a $5,000 recognizance bond.

Assistant Attorney General William Stamps requested that the defendants be barred from contacting one another, but defense attorney Jay Arriola—representing Esteves—objected, noting the group still works together daily.