The U.S. Attorney’s Office in Indiana has brought charges against four individuals alleging they stole $125,000 while running two fake charities for American veterans.

According to the indictment, the suspects, led by James Linville, convinced over 1,000 people and businesses to donate to the Wounded Warrior Fund and the Wounded Warrior Foundation. Victims believed they were donating to the Wounded Warrior Project, the legitimate and nationally recognized charity supporting veterans.

The fraudulent organizations claimed donations went toward active-duty and veteran military families in Indiana, Kentucky and Ohio. The suspects received all of their donations from individuals and businesses in those three states.

The Indiana Courier-Journal reports that they also requested that food and hotel costs be comped by local businesses, “based on the false pretense that the donated items were for veterans.”

The suspects allegedly sold the donated items at pawn shops that they didn’t keep for themselves, according to the Indianapolis Star. They also report that members of the group used debit cards which were connected to the charities’ bank accounts, making purchases at a casino and liquor store.

The group distributed flyers where they claimed to be an “IRS Approved 501(c)(3) charity,” despite there being any evidence of the suspects ever applying for such status with the IRS, according to CNN. They claim that the suspects gave out printed receipts which asked donors to “please keep a copy of this receipt with your records for tax deduction purposes.”

Linville and one partner, Thomas Johnson, are also accused of using aliases which hid their identities and made them appear to be veterans.

“Our American veterans have dutifully served this country through many wars and deserve better than to be deprived of donations from giving donors,” U.S. Attorney Josh Minkler said in his office’s press release on the charges.

“The acts of these fraudsters have eroded the trust and good will of those who want to contribute to legitimate fundraising organizations, including those that support our veterans.”

The charges stem from a three-year investigation by the Clark County Sheriff’s Department and the U.S. Secret Service, the Courier-Journal reports.

If convicted, all four defendants face up to 20 years in prison.