No new information was disclosed at a Thursday probable cause conference about the nature of the embezzlement allegedly committed by a Huron County funeral home director, with the hearing focused more on arranging the exchange of discovery materials.
Terry Alvin Kaufman appeared Thursday, December 4, in the Huron County 73B District Court with attorney Elizabeth Weisenbach representing him. During the 9 a.m. hearing, Weisenbach asked that materials provided in discovery to her by the Michigan State Attorney General’s Office be sent in a physical form, rather than via email, to prevent issues with technology.
The state attorney general’s office, represented in these proceedings by Assistant Attorney General Michael Trescone, replied that they would send a flash drive with the discovery, as they have 4,000 pages to disclose to the defense, and Weisenbach’s initial suggestion to print and send all documents would be time-consuming and possibly cause delay.
Also granted at Thursday’s hearing was a motion to allow the state to share tax records with the prosecution and defense for the case.
Kaufman, who founded and operates Kaufman & Co. Funeral Home in Huron County, has been charged with: One count of Conducting a Criminal Enterprise, a 20-year felony; Two counts of Embezzlement by an Agent $20,000 or More But Less Than $50,000, each a 10-year felony; Five counts of Embezzlement by an Agent $1,000 or More But Less Than $20,000, each a 5-year felony; and 31 counts of Conversion of Funeral Contracts, each a 5-year felony.
Kaufman allegedly collected almost $193,000 through the Huron County Public Guardian but failed to properly escrow any of the funds. Instead, Kaufman is accused of embezzling and converting money from 55 victims to his own use, including paying his own salary, over the past 10 years.
He will appear again in court on Friday, January 9, 2026 at 9 a.m. for his preliminary exam.
