A Muslim professor at Indiana State University has been arrested—after faking an anti-Muslim hate crime.

Azhar Hussain, 56, an assistant professor of aviation technology at ISU, reported receiving a number of anti-Muslim emails in March, including some that threatened violence against him and other members of the Muslim community. Police believe that Hussain wrote those emails to himself.

On March 24, Hussain took his hoax a step further—telling police that he was assaulted in the ISU College of Technology building, claiming that his attacker had thrown him to the floor.

Hussain had recently been notified that his contract would not be renewed beyond the upcoming 2017-2018 academic year. Police suspect that Hussain was trying to gain sympathy from the university, by presenting himself as a victim of anti-Muslim threats, possibly in the hope that they would reconsider their decision.

Hussain has been charged with one felony for obstruction of justice, and one misdemeanor charge of harassment. Indiana State University has already begun immediate dismissal proceedings.