NJ Woman Used Husband's Funeral Donations For Own Expenses: Cops

BURLINGTON COUNTY, NJ — A Burlington County woman has been indicted on charges that she used $2,050 that was donated to her for her husband’s funeral for her own living expenses, authorities announced.

Patricia Clark, 49 of Pemberton Township, launched a GoFundMe campaign to raise money for her cremation and funeral, according to Burlington County Prosecutor Scott Coffina.

Instead, she left his body in the morgue and used the money for her own living expenses, authorities said. Authorities were first alerted to the alleged scheme when they received tips from family members.

Clark launched the fundraiser after her disabled husband died in April 2019, authorities said. She set a goal of $3,000, and raised $2,050 from 28 people in two months, authorities said.

“Please, if there is anybody out there that can make a donation to help with the expenses, I would greatly appreciate it,” she expressed on the GoFundMe campaign’s web page. “His children would also appreciate it.”

Clark has been indicted by a Grand Jury on one count of third-degree theft by failure to make disposition. The indictment was returned Aug. 13 and signed by Coffina. An arraignment will be held soon in Superior Court.

The investigation was conducted by the New Jersey State Police. The case was presented to the grand jury by Burlington County Assistant Prosecutor Eric Cornog.