HURON COUNTY, Mich. – A former Michigan funeral home director has agreed to pay more than $1 million in restitution to 204 victims after taking a plea deal in his embezzlement case.
Terry Alvin Kaufman, 72, of Bad Axe, the founder and operator of Kaufman & Co. Funeral Home, pleaded no contest to the following charges, according to a release from Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel’s office:
Recommended Videos
- One count of conducting a criminal enterprise (A 20-year felony)
- Two counts of embezzlement by an agent $20,000 or more but less than $50,000, (Each a 10-year felony)
- Five counts of embezzlement by an agent $1,000 or more but less than $20,000 (Each a 5-year felony)
- 31 counts of conversion of funeral contracts (Each a 5-year felony)
Nessel’s office said Kaufman collected funds through the Huron County Public Guardian, but didn’t properly escrow any of the funds.
He also stole money from people who prepaid for funerals, using the funds for his own use, including paying his own salary for the past 10 years.
As part of the plea deal, Kaufman must pay full restitution totaling $1,111,165.77 to 204 victims.
Kaufman is scheduled to be sentenced on May 11.
“I am proud of the prosecutors in my office who were able to secure this conviction and an order for more than $1 million in restitution for the hundreds of victims in this case,” said Attorney General Nessel. “Individuals who believe they are responsibly planning for the future needs of vulnerable adults or prepaying for funeral arrangements should be able to trust that the money they set aside will not be siphoned off. My office will continue to hold accountable those who exploit Michiganders for personal gain.”