A Stony Brook University professor has been accused of stealing more than $200,000 in cancer research grant money.

Geoffrey Girnun pleaded not guilty to a seven-count indictment that includes charges of money laundering and wire fraud.

Girnun is an associate professor at Stony Brook University. Prosecutors say the 48-year-old formed two shell companies over the last six years. They say he allegedly submitted fraudulent invoices to Stony Brook University for research equipment.

Since 2013, prosecutors say the university paid the fake companies over $200,000. That money, they say, was meant for cancer-related research grants issued by the National Institute of Health and Stony Brook University. Instead, federal officials say Girnun used it to pay the mortgage on his Woodmere home.

A spokeswoman for Stony Brook University called the allegations appalling. She says Girnun has been placed on administrative leave. it's unclear if he still is getting paid at this point.