A former official of a social service agency and former printing shop owner have pleaded innocent to charges of stealing more than $1 million from an agency that serves the poor.

Milton Greengas, 68, and Sandra Naclerio, 65, both of West Haven, pleaded innocent Tuesday to charges of first-degree larceny and conspiracy to commit larceny charges.

They were arrested in the alleged theft of taxpayer money slated for low-income residents from the Community Action Agency of New Haven.

Court proceedings for the pair won’t begin until Dec. 5 because the chief state’s attorney’s office has requested several more months to examine evidence in the continuing inquiry.

“The state is asking for that additional time because this is an ongoing investigation,” Superior Court Judge Jon Blue said Tuesday.

Investigators accuse the pair of taking part in a complicated scheme in which former Finance Director Naclerio wrote checks to Greengas for either excessive or fictitious printing purchases.

–Associated Press