Funeral director blames his ex for burial fund foul-up

MOUNT CLEMENS (AP) -- An ex-Michigan funeral director has received probation for mishandling $13,000 received for prepaid burials but is blaming his ex-wife for failing to put the cash into escrow. John Olszewski pleaded guilty to funeral contract conversion under a deal with prosecutors. He was sentenced last Thursday by Macomb County Circuit Judge Richard Caretti and must repay the money to six ex-customers. Olszewski owned the now-closed Duncan-Olszewski Funeral Home in New Haven, about 30 miles northeast of Detroit. Defense lawyer Stephen Becker says Olszewski's ex-wife received the money, and his client "relied on her" to put it in escrow. Becker also says his client had a deal with state regulators to repay the funds in full before the charges were filed. Assistant Prosecutor Sian Hengeveld says she was unaware of such a deal. Published: Mon, Nov 12, 2012