Peterborough, Ont. police have teamed up with the Bereavement Authority of Ontario to investigate allegations of fraud involving pre-paid funeral contracts.
The investigation led to the arrest of the owner of Benson Shields Funeral Home in Millbrook, Ont.
Police discovered Benson Shields was allegedly defrauded of more than $100,000 between 2006 and 2015.
According to the investigation, funds from pre-paid contracts were not deposited into a trust account. Police also allege that customer’s signatures were forged on pre-paid funeral contracts.
Patrick W. Benson was arrested on Thursday in connection to the investigation. The 44-year-old was charged with fraud over $5,000, criminal breach of trust and seven counts of using, dealing, and acting on a forged document.
Benson is scheduled to appear in court early next month.
Read more at The Peterborough Examiner
