COVID Fraud and Mishandling Bodies Accusations
The married owners of a Colorado mortuary who face accusation of mishandling 190 decomposing bodies. Are now facing fraud accusations for wasting more than $900,000 in COVID relief funds on personal expenses amid mishandling bodies accusations. The funeral home’s owners are Jon Hallford, 44, and Carie Hallford, 47. Furthermore, according to an April 15 press release issued by the United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Colorado, each defendant is charged with 13 counts of wire fraud and two charges of conspiracy to commit wire fraud in connection with the alleged scheme.
The couple was arrested in November of last year after an investigation revealed 190 bodies “stored unrefrigerated, in room infested by bugs and…liquid decomposition,” according to courts documents. The search started after residents in the area reported an odor emanating from the Colorado mortuary facility. After some investigation authorities discover a release stating that some of the dates on the bodies listed deaths dating back to 2019.
The federal indictment stated the Hallfords,
Concealed the gruesome collection of bodies…by preventing outsiders from entering their building, covering the windows and doors of the building to limit others from viewing inside, and providing false statements to others regarding the foul odor emanating from the building and the true nature of the activity occurring inside.
As of now it has been determined that Hallfords each face up to 20 years in prison. Along with up to $250,000 in fines if convicted in the federal case, according to the indictment.
Fraud & Neglect
Additionally, the pair was also arrested and charged with the fraud of more than $900,000 in COVID relief loans intended to help small companies. The money was discover to be use for personal purposes, such as purchasing a vehicle, trips, entertainment, meals, and tuition for a minor child. Also, for bitcoin, cosmetic medical procedures, jewelry, and Amazon merchandise.
Further, the couple was allegedly discovered to be working together from March 30, 2020, to October 20, 2021, to compile and submit loan documentation. However, the intended paper work for the SBA contained materially false statements. On top of that, during the application and documentation process, the couple allegedly fraudulently declared that they were “not engaged in any illegal activity.” Also stated that neither of them were “more than 60 days delinquent on child support obligations.” Which where all a false claim.
Additional Charges
At this point the couple has been caught engaging in a variety of criminal activities. For this reason their chances of reducing their sentence keeps declining. As more details about their scheme acts emerge. For instance, in a federal indictment issued on April 10, the Hallfords are accused of collecting more than $130,000. Money that was collected from families for cremation or burial services. Services that the couple never provided. They were also accused with filing false death certificates within the Colorado mortuary facility.
The indictment further claims that on numerous occasions, the Hallfords “provided the decedent’s family members, friends, or the designated next-of-kin with an urn filled with dry concrete mix instead of the actual cremains of the deceased.” According to the indictment, the couple also allegedly gave the wrong body for cemetery burial on at least two occasions.
Overall, the Hallford couple is being charged with felony accusations of corpse abuse, theft, and money laundering. As well as COVID fraud amid mishandling 190 bodies accusations.
Taking Precautions
Moreover, the US Environmental Protection Agency announced last month that the Colorado Mortuary Funeral Home will be demolished on Tuesday. This is due to safety measures. The EPA conducted an evaluation in the Colorado morgue and decided that demolition of the structure was required. In order to properly remove all remaining medical and biological materials from the building. The cleanup will be undertaken under the leadership of EPA’s Emergency Response officers and trained hazardous materials contractors.
Justice for the Families
The families who spoke with the Associated Press in October 2023 stated that they did not get identification tags with their loved ones’ corpses. Some family members think the ashes of their deceased loved ones had the consistency of dry concrete and cemented when mixed with water.
Overall, it is indescribable the heartbreaking process many families had to go through in order to discover the sad reality of what happened to their loved ones inside that Colorado mortuary facility. It is truly tragic how so many families had to lose those they loved not once, but twice. Due to being unable to properly receive the remain of their loved ones back. Despite punishing those who are responsible, many will still be unable to receive the closure they want. Since they were unable to provide and receive the dignified funeral they deserve.
Written by Nohemi Sanchez
Sources:
People: Funeral Home Owners Found with 190 Decaying Bodies Spent $900K in COVID Fraud Scheme: Authorities
CNN US: Colorado funeral owners accused of mishandling 190 bodies charged with Covid-19 relief loan fraud , official say
New York Post: Owners of Colorado funeral home where nearly 200 decaying bodies were found now also charged with COVID fraud
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