A former Connecticut funeral director who stole clients’ prepayments to fund his excessive gambling habit will spend the next seven and a half years in state prison.
Philip Pietras has accepted a plea deal that includes a reduced prison sentence of 7.5 years. In exchange, he’ll plead guilty to allegations that he stole clients’ prepayments to gamble. (Image: Vernon Police Department)Philip Pietras, 52, admitted to stealing from more than 170 people, many of whom are senior citizens who sought to limit the emotional and financial burdens placed on their loved ones by prepaying for their funerals. But instead of placing those funds, meant for caskets and burial services, in escrow accounts, Pietras pocketed the money to gamble.
Pietras accepted a plea deal from the state, and prosecutors expect him to enter a guilty plea on Oct. 23 and be formally sentenced on Jan. 22, 2027.
Under the terms of the state’s offer, Pietras will admit to stealing his clients’ money for his personal use. In exchange for his admission, the state has recommended a prison sentence of 7.5 years instead of 15 years, followed by five years of probation.
According to the arrest warrant affidavit, law enforcement began investigating Pietras after an employee with a third-party company that assists funeral homes in managing and administering funeral contracts notified police about possible discrepancies at Pietras Family Funeral Homes in Coventry. Such funeral trust administrators partner with funeral homes to provide various programs, including trust funds, insurance policies, and escrow account management.
Law enforcement investigators uncovered a mountain of alleged theft. As the news spread, clients began requesting escrow statements, only to find that their funds were never deposited.
Casino Addiction
Prosecutors alleged that Pietras was stealing the funeral money to fund his gambling addiction. Law enforcement found that Pietras made more than 800 casino trips over a 14-year period.
Casino records for his player’s card suggested he lost over $1.2 million at Mohegan Sun. He’s also reported to have gambled extensively at Foxwoods Resort Casino and MGM Springfield in Massachusetts.
Pietras was charged with dozens of unfair trade practices, larceny, and embezzlement counts. Prosecutors also accused him of violating health and zoning laws by living at his funeral home in Coventry.
Prosecutors said victims were discovered at each of Pietras’ funeral homes, including Coventry-Pietras and Angels Memorial funeral homes in Coventry, Tolland Memorial Funeral Home, and Burke-Fortin and Small & Pietras funeral homes in Vernon.
Many of the victims weren’t happy Pietras was offered a plea deal.
As for myself, and I’m sure all the others affected, this is not nearly enough for the amount of pain and anguish he has caused so many families,” Alison Greene, whose mother, sister, and aunt are victims, said outside the courtroom, as reported by CT Insider.
Pietras faces more than 40 lawsuits from clients who are seeking the return of their money.
Funeral Costs
According to Funeralocity, a consumer advocacy website regarding funeral services, the average cost of a traditional full-service burial in Connecticut is $9,609. That’s more than $1,000 higher than the national average of $8,595.
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