Two workers at the Athens Limestone Recycling Center have been arrested after Athens Police accused them of creating $1,000 worth of bogus tickets for recyclables and cashing them for each other, an official said.

Steven Wayne Ivey, 39, of 10350 U.S. 72 West, Athens, and Dale Monte Whitehurst, 54, of 1771 Happy Hollow Road, Lot 3, Elkmont, were arrested Tuesday morning by Athens Police, said Capt. Marty Bruce.

The men are accused of creating the fake tickets between April1 and Monday, Bruce said. Detective Johnny Campbell investigated the case.

Ivey was released from Limestone County Jail after posting $2,500 bond; Whitehurst remained in jail Wednesday afternoon on $2,500 bond, a jailer said.

The leader of the organization that operates the recycling center said the arrest of the suspects, if they are found guilty, should serve as a warning to anyone trying to defraud the center.

“If, in fact, they were stealing, let this be a message to anyone who wants to come to work here that were are not going to tolerate it,” said Lynn Hart, executive coordinator of Keep-Athens Limestone Beautiful, which owns and operates the recycling center. “It doesn’t matter if it is a non-profit (organization), we make a practice of keeping honest employees. If they are not, steps have to be taken.”

Hart said the detective made the arrest after talking to employees and the suspects.

“I am not privy to all of the details, but a detective determined there was some questionable activity going on and interviewed employees and got statements from them and from someone who uses the facility and, after questioning (the suspects), he felt there was enough to make arrests,” Hart said.

The Athens-Limestone Recycling Board oversees operations at the multi-material, buy-back center at 15896 Lucas Ferry Road, just south of U.S. 72 in Athens. The center works with the city to offer curbside recycling for city residents. The center also works with the Limestone County Commission to place and service recycling trailers throughout the county.