Pennsylvania is forcing three former state university students who say they were sexually abused by a high-ranking administrator to pay $10,000 in court costs after a jury ruled against them in their federal lawsuit nearly four years ago.

The state attorney general’s office, representing East Stroudsburg University, said it’s “standard procedure” to seek repayment of court costs. The students’ lawyer denounced the maneuver as “outrageous,” and plans to appeal it.

East Stroudsburg fired former Vice President Isaac Sanders in 2008 following an internal investigation by Pennsylvania’s state university system into allegations of sexual misconduct toward students as well as financial mismanagement at the university. Sanders’ termination letter, which was made public as part of the civil suit, said he had “exercised exceedingly poor judgment” toward the students.

But a jury ruled against them after a 2014 trial, and, this week, the court granted East Stroudsburg’s request to recover costs.

The former students’ lawyer, Albert Murray Jr., said he was incredulous, given the state is targeting people who say they were sexually molested by a state employee.

“It’s hostile toward victims of sexual assault,” Murray said.

Sanders, the university’s former chief fundraiser, has repeatedly denied wrongdoing, and he’s never been charged with a crime. The former students, now in their 20s and 30s, insist Sanders used his high-powered job to offer them gifts, scholarships and campus jobs, then sexually assaulted them.

Under federal rules, the winning party is entitled to recoup court costs from the losers.

In this case, East Stroudsburg sought reimbursement for transcripts, witness fees and copying charges. Sanders has made no such request.