HARRISBURG – Attorney General Josh Shapiro and Fayette County District Attorney Richard Bower today announced a guilty plea by the former Uniontown, Fayette County, funeral home director who pocketed approximately $500,000 worth of pre-need funeral policy payments from 80 victims over a 12-year period. Stephen Kezmarsky, 51, of Uniontown, pleaded guilty Tuesday to Theft by Deception, Theft by Failure to Make Required Disposition of Funds, Forgery and Insurance Fraud.
“This defendant specifically targeted members of our vulnerable senior community who worked hard to prepay for their funeral services to limit the financial burden on their families after they pass,” Attorney General Shapiro said. “Kezmarsky took responsibility for this crime. I am grateful to the people of Fayette County who came forward to report this scam to my office, and we will continue our commitment to holding scammers and con artists accountable to Pennsylvanians.”
“The Office of District Attorney is committed to protecting and bringing justice for senior citizens who have been taken advantage of in theft and other cases. My office, along with the Attorney General’s Office, diligently prosecuted this case to its final conclusion,” said Fayette County District Attorney Richard Bower.
The defendant is the former owner/operator of Kezmarsky Funeral Home. He accepted the policy payments from 2005 until 2017 but never submitted customers’ completed policies to the insurance company, Homesteaders Life. After AG Shapiro and DA Bower initially announced the charges against Kezmarsky in Pittsburgh nearly two years ago, more than two dozen others came forward to say they were also ripped off by the defendant.
Sentencing has not yet been scheduled. Restitution to victims will be determined during sentencing. The case was prosecuted by Senior Deputy Attorney General Dennis Kistler and District Attorney Richard Bower.
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