Prison ordered in burial fraud case

People in 49 states were identified as victims.

PITTSBURGH (AP) — The head of a prepaid funeral supply business was sentenced to more than six years in federal prison for ripping off hundreds of clients for about $2.5 million by not delivering vaults and coffins — including one to a family whose loved one had to be laid on a table for viewing.

Joseph M. Stabile, 39, of Forest Hills, was sentenced to 77 months in prison Tuesday.

He pleaded guilty in April to charges including conspiracy, mail fraud, making false statements on tax returns while he was president and CEO of Celestial Burial Case Co.

The company, which had offices in Pittsburgh and Greensburg, marketed primarily to senior citizens — in particular, veterans through magazines and licensing agreements with the Veterans of Foreign Wars, AMVETS and the American Legion, authorities said.

One woman, Debbie Gorley of Ada, Okla., told prosecutors that Stabile claimed her father-in-law’s coffin failed to arrive because of increased anti-terrorism airport security in 2003. The funeral for Gorley’s father-in-law, a World War II veteran, was postponed for several days so the family could buy another coffin from a local funeral director. Stabile promised to reimburse the family and eventually sent a $4,000 check, which bounced, Gorley said.

Stabile’s victims included people in 49 states, Washington, D.C., and Puerto Rico, who were never repaid for service and goods not delivered between 1997 and 2006.

Celestial Burial operated several businesses, including Keystone Family Services Inc. and Angel Arms casket Co. Inc., prosecutors said.

Under Pennsylvania law, prepaid funeral companies must deposit 70 percent of payments into trust account until the customer dies and the services or merchandise were provided. But prosecutors say only $54,000 was deposited out of $2.5 million the customers paid in advance.