Funeral Director Blames Ex For Burial Fund Foul-Up

MOUNT CLEMENS (WWJ/AP) - An ex-Michigan funeral director, who received probation for mishandling $13,000 received for prepaid burials, 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 Thursday by Macomb County Circuit Judge Richard Caretti and must repay the money to six ex-customers. He was also ordereed to undergo training on impulse control.

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 said she was unaware of such a deal.

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