A former Colorado Department of Transportation employee faces charges for stealing more than $770,000 from the agency between 2011 and 2020. Aaron Victor Ceja, 48, is accused of making unauthorized personal purchases using his state procurement card and of submitting fake invoices to CDOT from a company set up in a family member’s namea, according to a news release from the Denver District Attorney’s Office.

While working as a project manager for CDOT Ceja purchased items such as gift cards, camping gear and video equipment, authorities said. The company set up in a relative’s name, which was actually operated by Ceja, was called All Around Technologies and was an authorized CDOT vendor.

Ceja faces charges of two counts of theft and one count of money laundering and one count of embezzlement of public property. All of the charges are felonies.

Authorities arrested Ceja Tuesday. The Denver District Attorney’s Office has jurisdiction over the case because the alleged crimes occurred in the city.

The investigation dates to August 2020 when CDOT’s executive director requested assistance from the Colorado Bureau of Investigation about potential theft and misuse of a procurement card by a former employee, according to the news release.

Ceja’s next court appearance has not been set.