The Huron County funeral home director accused of embezzling funds was bound over to stand trial last week, according to the state of Michigan.
Terry Alvin Kaufman, age 72 of Bad Axe, waived preliminary examination on Friday, January 9, and was bound over to stand trial in the 52nd Circuit Court in Huron County for allegedly embezzling and converting funds he received for prepaid funerals and funeral insurance policies.
Kaufman, who founded and operated 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.
Kaufman will next appear in the 52nd Circuit Court on Monday, February 2 before Judge Gerald M. Prill.
