A pastor forced to resign last fall from a northern Indiana church now faces forgery charges alleging that he misappropriated about $40,000 in church funds.

State Police say 65-year-old David Troyer faces five counts of forgery in LaGrange County.

Last fall, church officials at Maple Grove Church in the town of Topeka asked him to resign.

State police say Troyer would go to the church's bookkeeper and ask for money to help someone in need, claiming he had permission from the church's board of elders.

The bookkeeper would then make a check out using the name given by Troyer, who would then take the check, forge a signature on the back and cash it.