Funeral home owner charged with felonies for failing to fulfill contracts

Michigan Attorney General Bill Schuette on Monday charged O’Neil Swanson III, 57, of West Bloomfield, with 10 felony counts of Funeral Contracts – Conversion. Swanson allegedly offered prepaid funeral contracts that he was not legally licensed to offer. It is also alleged that Swanson failed to properly deposit prepaid funds and used them for personal expenses.

Swanson is the former operator of Swanson Funeral Home on Martin Luther King Ave in Flint.

“This individual has taken advantage of his customers, breaking not only their trust but the law,” said Schuette. “I want to thank LARA for their involvement in this case and note that this should serve as a warning to other individuals looking to make a quick buck by taking advantage of others.”

Swanson was charged with 10 counts of Funeral Contracts – conversion, a five-year felony, on Friday, June 8. He was arraigned before Genesee County 67th District Court Judge William H. Crawford II. Swanson was given a personal recognizance bond. His next court appearance is scheduled for June 20.

In July 2017, Swanson Funeral Home in Flint had its license revoked by the Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA). During the suspension process, LARA was approached by an individual who alleged they had signed a prepaid funeral contract with Swanson.

It was determined that Swanson allegedly did not have a license to offer prepaid funeral contracts. The prepaid funeral funds are supposed to be deposited into an escrow account within 30 days of payment. The investigation also alleges that this what not done properly by Swanson.

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