Following a year-long investigation, a former North Carolina pastor was charged with three counts of embezzlement for selling $45,000 in fake annuities to three people.

James William Rupard, 47, of Laurinburg, N.C., sold two of the annuities at $5,000 and one at $35,000 through his company, American Insurance Marketing, and has yet to return the victims’ money, according to the North Carolina Department of Insurance.

Rather than writing the policies, Rupard kept the money, according to authorities.

In addition to the embezzlement by an insurance agent charges, Rupard also faces three counts of obtaining property by false pretense.

Rupard is also the focus of a separate State Bureau of Investigation regarding allegations he embezzled funds from a local fireman’s association and fire station, according to published reports.