Bribery Probe Rocks Pasadena City College

No charges have been filed against van Pelt or Hutchings. Demerjian said his office is trying to determine whether the pair took illegal payments in exchange for granting contracts in 2011.

Van Pelt has wide-ranging authority over campus finances, developing the college's annual budget, overseeing construction and maintenance of campus facilities, managing payroll and even supervising the school's police department and bookstore, according to school documents. He has worked for the college since 1997.

Hutchings, a former Los Angeles police officer convicted of defrauding his employer, oversaw the work of contractors on campus and conducted reference checks on potential employees. He began work for the school in May 2009.

In a brief statement to the press, college President Mark Rocha said an internal review of the college's books did not indicate any public funds were missing. The school has temporarily turned over financial operations to the Glendora-based accounting firm Vicenti, Lloyd & Stutzman, which will also conduct a forensic audit.