My question involves labor and employment law for the state of Arizona
Recently, I was fired from my job as a manager of a store for suspicion of stealing a sum of money from the daily deposit amount. This money was "missing" apparently from a night shift I had been working. For context, I worked almost every night and the missing money could have been a pos software issue or a mistake made by the bank, it is still unclear. My employer decided to bring an HR consultant to "investigate" this incident, but to me it seemed like they were trying to avoid a lawsuit if I was just terminated with no prior write ups or an investigation done on the missing money. The investigation consisted of a meeting with me, the HR person, and my two bosses. The HR person asked me questions about the specific night and I didn't have much to say about it because it was just another night to me. The investigation concluded with me getting a phone call from my boss and telling me they decided to terminate me based on the findings of the investigation.
I filed for unemployment and was denied for benefits because they contacted my former employer and the letter I received read, "You were discharged because of unsatisfactory work performance. Your employer has provided evidence that you performed your work with gross carelessness or negligence, or that you did not perform you work with ordinary care. Your actions were a disregard of the employers interests."
I appealed this decision and I have a phone hearing coming up on the 7th of June. I would like some advice on how to go about this and what I can say that will help my case.
There is a file in the case that my employer filled out saying that I was discharged for "having someone count money off the clock". This issue was never brought up with me at any point during the investigation. The fact is they fired me for allegedly taking the missing money, and the investigative report that the HR person wrote up says that she "thinks it is probale she took the money" with no evidence of the sort. They also interviewed the co-worker that counted the money and her testimony stated that she was there and I did not take it.
Any advice on how I can proceed with this hearing with confidence would be greatly appreciated. I was wrongfully accused and fired and now my unemployment benefits are being withheld.

