Ex-Undertaker Faces Charges In Trust Fund Ripoff; Allegedly Failed To Escrow Cash Received For Prepaid Funeral Services, Used Money For Personal Needs

In Fredericksburg, Virginia, The Free Lance Star reports:

• [Funeral director Ambrose] Bailey is [...] facing 81 charges, including 27 counts each of grand larceny, embezzlement and violating the Pre-need Burial/Funeral Services Act. He is accused of taking money paid in advance for funerals and using it for personal purchases. The money was supposed to be put into escrow accounts. Those 81 cases are scheduled to be resolved on March 12, the same day Bailey will be sentenced on [last week's] convictions [involving the forgery of doctors' signatures on death and cremation certificates].

• As part of an agreement worked out by [special prosecutor Matt] Britton and defense attorney Mark Gardner, Bailey was allowed to remain free on bond at least until his March hearing. Britton said he agreed to allow Bailey time to repay people who gave him money in advance for funerals. Britton said Bailey has already repaid two of the 27 victims. He said it is his understanding that Bailey’s father has gotten a reverse mortgage to help cover the rest of the debt.

For the story, see Ambrose Bailey pleads guilty to 15 felonies. EscrowRipOffKappa