BOSTON -- A Cape Cod man has been accused of stealing up to $1 million from a South Dennis church where he was a trustee, and prosecutors say he used the cash to finance a lavish lifestyle, purchasing homes, yachts and luxury cars.

Federal officials said Jeffrey Windle, 41, of Harwich Port, has been in custody since he was arrested in May. He faces federal charges of stealing $14 million from Natick-based Cambium Learning, where he worked as a finance director.

Cape Cod Church Missing Up To $1M

Prosecutors said Windle stole several hundred thousand dollars from the Congregational Church, but that number may be up to $1 million.

"I am going to guess it is going to be close to $1 million," church trustee Michael Cerbone said. "We reviewed financial reports on a monthly basis and found they were falsified."

Church officials are trying to figure out how much money was missing from the church.

Prosecutors said Windle used the money to buy yachts and homes in Massachusetts and Florida.

Investigators said a home in Dennis was paid off with Cambium funds, and he allegedly bought a Harwich Port home for $1.9 million.

Julie Brooks runs a Cape Web site and maintains a blog about Windle.

"I was blown away," she said. "Basically, what he was doing was using the church's bank account for money laundering."