More than 130 people in Connecticut pre-paid for their funerals, only to learn the funeral director himself stole that money and used it to gamble.
The man at the center of those allegations, Philip Pietras, pleaded guilty Friday.
With his guilty plea, Pietras agreed to 15 years in jail, suspended after seven and a half years, with payment to the victims. Some victims told NBC Connecticut they believe the sentence is far too light for crimes involving so many victims.
A group of victims who spoke Friday represents only about 5% of the people who paid ahead of time for their funerals and had that money stolen by Pietras over the course of 16 years.
“The police uncovered in excess [of] $1.2 million dollars that Mr. Pietras had collected on these funeral service contracts,” said State’s Attorney Craig Nowak.
Pietras formerly owned funeral homes in Vernon, Coventry, East Windsor and Tolland. He has been evicted and lost his embalming license. When asked how he pleaded, Pietras responded, “Guilty.”
He agreed to serve 15 years, suspended after seven and a half years, after pleading guilty to one charge of larceny and four charges of intent to defraud.
“We are not happy with the outcome. The punishment, I feel, does not fit the crime,” said Kerry Aresco, a victim’s daughter.
“There were over 130 victims. He was only charged with five counts. Those five counts would have added up to 40 years. If you added up all of the 130, the state prosecutor had advised us it would have been over 1,000 years of prison time,” said Allison Greene, another victim’s daughter.
The state says Pietras used the money he stole at MGM Springfield Casino, Foxwoods, on shopping and even a cruise.
“He went on a cruise? How about sending us elderly people on a cruise,” victim Sheila Lawlor said.
“We try to do everything that’s right and then this guy goes ahead and has a party,” victim Ernie Ellis said.
Pietras also agreed to restitution, but victims told NBC Connecticut they are doubtful they will receive any money.
“You know full well we’ll never get a penny to a thousand dollars from him. There is no money,” victim Marguerite Koch said.
Pietras is scheduled to be sentenced in January. His attorney did not speak with NBC Connecticut after court Friday.
