By George P. Hassett

Two former Tufts University employees accused of stealing almost $1 million in separate schemes and spending the money on lavish trips and fashion accessories were arraigned Tuesday in Woburn Superior Court.

Josephine Neally and Raymond Rodriguez, were released on personal recognizance under the conditions that they stay away from the college and all witnesses. Neally and Rodriguez both worked in the school’s Office of Student Activities until 2007.

Nealley is alleged to have stolen $372,576 and was indicted by a Middlesex Grand Jury on July 1 on three counts of larceny over $250. Rodriguez is alleged to have stolen $604,873 and was also indicted the same day on two counts of larceny over $250.

A member of the Tufts Internal Audit Department, acting on an anonymous tip, first discovered the schemes, prosecutors said. Based on a follow-up investigation, it was determined that Nealley had control over bank accounts associated with the Office of Student Activities.

From 2001 to 2007, Nealley transferred $63,500 to her personal line of credit, $91,000 to her personal checking account and also withdrew $174,908 in cash, according to authorities. In total, she is alleged to have stolen $372,576 from the university through this scheme. Bank records indicate that Nealley allegedly used Tufts money to make purchases at Foxwoods Resort and Casino, IKEA, Whole Foods, The Disney Store, Talbots, and Omaha Steaks.

During the investigation, auditors also discovered that Rodriguez stole $604,873 from university student activity accounts, prosecutors said. Auditors allegedly discovered that Rodriguez wrote himself a check from a university account in the amount of $100,000, deposited the check into an account he opened in his name, and used the money to pay credit card bills.

From October 2005 to September 2007, Rodriguez allegedly used Tufts money to purchase trips to Paris, Montreal, New York, Las Vegas, and Chicago, and tickets to concerts such as Madonna, Celine Dion, Rent, and opera performances.

Prosecutors said Rodriguez also spent hundreds of thousands of dollars on luxury items such as wallets, watches, handbags, shoes, electronics, and home goods from high-end retailers such as Gucci, Tiffany and Co., Bloomingdale’s and Louis Vuitton.

Rodriguez and Neally will next appear in court October 1 for a pretrial conference.