Blog: PA Attorney General Sues Cemetery Marker Business
HARRISBURG, Pa. (CBS) – Attorney General Kathleen G. Kane has filed a civil complaint against two Philadelphia-area businesses and their owner, who are all accused of failing to deliver cemetery markers, memorials and engravings after accepting advance payments.
The complaint was filed against Lifestone by Stefan, LLC, Stefan Memorials, Inc. and Gregory J. Stefan Sr., the president and officer for both companies, which operate mainly in the southeast region of Pennsylvania. The complaint was filed by the Office of Attorney General's Bureau of Consumer Protection.
"More than 50 consumers made reports to our office concerning their difficulties dealing with these businesses," Attorney General Kane said. "It is very disheartening to hear allegations of people being exploited during moments of tremendous grief and loss."
The complaint alleges violations of the Consumer Protection Law. The businesses allegedly failed to timely deliver cemetery markers and other similar items to consumers in the Philadelphia area and surrounding suburbs. Furthermore, it is alleged in many cases, that money was paid but the memorials were not delivered until long after the date promised by the defendants, according to the complaint.
In one case, consumers from the Malvern area in December 2012 made out a check to pay for an $8,000 headstone. As of August — nearly three years later — the headstone had not been installed, the complaint alleges.
Additionally, the defendants or their representatives implied or expressed to certain consumers that they were affiliated with the cemeteries in which the consumers' relatives were being buried when that was not the case, the complaint alleges.
Stefan and the businesses also are accused of confusing and unclear solicitation, supplying goods of a lesser quality and refusing to provide timely refunds to consumers.
The complaint seeks restitution for consumers and $1,000 in civil penalties for each violation of the Consumer Protection Law. It also seeks $3,000 in civil penalties for each violation involving a consumer 60 years old or older. Furthermore, the complaint seeks a permanent injunction to restrain the defendants from continuing their alleged violations of the Consumer Protection Law.
The lawsuit was filed in the Delaware County Court of Common Pleas by Senior Deputy Attorney General Thomas Blessington of the Bureau of Consumer Protection.
Consumers with additional questions, or who would like to file a complaint, may call the Bureau of Consumer Protection at 1-800-441-2555, visit www.attorneygeneral.gov or email Consumers@attorneygeneral.gov.
