CT Funeral Home Owner Launches Campaign To Help Victims Of Alleged $70K Vernon Funeral Scam
A group is working to help victims of an alleged Connecticut funeral scam involving a former funeral home owner accused of embezzling more than $70,000 from funds meant for burials and other services, to allegedly fuel his gambling habit.
Philip Pietras, 51, of Coventry, was arrested Sunday, April 6, and charged with first-degree larceny, according to Connecticut State Police.
Dozens of people had given Pietras money intended for escrow accounts, which would have been available to cover funeral costs when needed, police said. They later learned the money was never deposited, and now they mu…
Vernon Funeral Home Owner Stole $71K From Clients to Fund Gambling, Shopping Sprees: Police
A Connecticut funeral home owner was arrested this week after police said he embezzled $71,000 from mentally and physically disabled clients, using the funds to gamble, shop, and dine out.
Philip Pietras, 51, of Coventry, was taken into custody on Sunday, April 6, and charged with first-degree larceny, according to Connecticut State Police.
Police began investigating Pietras in October 2024 after a financial agency that manages funds for disabled adults reported discrepancies in payments sent to one of Pietras’ funeral homes.
Pietras owns four funeral homes, including Bassinger and Do…
Fugitive Accused Of Murdering Judge Over Custody Ruling Has Ties To New York, Police Say
A wanted fugitive suspected of gunning down a Maryland judge in his own driveway has ties to New York.
Pedro Manuel Argote, age 49, is the primary suspect in the killing of Washington County Circuit Court Judge Andrew Wilkinson, who was shot multiple times outside his Hagerstown, Maryland home on Thursday night, Oct. 19.
Wilkinson was rushed to a hospital where he later died, according to Washington County Sheriff’s officials.
Earlier Report: Suspected Judge Killer's Mercedes Found In Williamsport, Sheriff Says (DEVELOPING)
On Friday, Oct. 20, investigators announced that Argote was th…
'His Love For Sports, Competition Burned Brightly': Yankees Co-Owner 'Hank' Steinbrenner, 63
Hank Steinbrenner "set an example for all of us in how comfortably he lived," his family said Tuesday as news of the New York Yankees' general partner and co-chairperson's death spread.
Henry G. Steinbrenner, who turned 63 earlier this month, died surrounded by his family at his home in Clearwater, Florida after a battle with a long illness, they said, adding that it wasn't related to the coronavirus.
Hank, who was a general partner and co-chairperson of the organization, was the eldest son of George Steinbrenner.
At one time he'd been considered the successor to his father to ru…
