Embattled Ex-Embalmer Faces More Charges In Coventry: Police

COVENTRY, CT — A funeral company owner, who is already facing charges that he diverted funds for pre-paid funerals for his own benefit, was arrested on additional counts Wednesday.

Coventry police on Wednesday arrested Philip Pietras, of 5 Redwood St. Enfield, according to police Capt. Jeffrey Spadjinske.

Pietras was charged with 22 counts of selling a funeral service contract with intent to defraud, 11 counts of second-degree larceny by embezzlement, and one count of second-degree forgery.

Coventry police said this arrest follows a lengthy investigation in conjunction with neighboring agencies and the Rockville State’s Attorney’s Office.

Pietras has been the longtime owner of four funeral service companies: Bassinger & Dowd Funeral Home in East Windsor, Burke-Fortin Funeral Home in the Rockville section of Vernon, Tolland Memorial Funeral Home and the local Coventry-Pietras Funeral Home on Route 44.

According to Coventry police, multiple victims reported that they had entered into prepaid funeral contracts with the Coventry-Pietras Funeral Home that were fraudulent.

Contracts dating back as far as a decade were affected, according to local police. The Coventry cases involve 22 victims who lost more than $165,000, police said Wednesday.

After his initial arrest earlier this year, state police claimed Pietras used money from clients to finance vacations and casino trips.

In July, the Connecticut Board of Examiners of Embalmers and Funeral Directors revoked Pietras’ embalmer’s license.

For the latest Coventry charges, Pietras posted a $150,000 court set bond and had an additional $160,000 non-surety bond added. He is due to appear in Superior Court in Rockville on Sept. 30.

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