Undertaker fined for fraud

Press, 20 June 1984, Page 26

Undertaker fined for fraud

PA Auckland A New Lynn undertaker has been fined $2BOO on charges of using applications for interment with intent to defraud. Alfred Arthur Fletcher Brown, aged 70. pleaded guilty before Judge Finnigan, in the District Court at Auckland to 28 charges that, with intend to defraud, he used Auckland City applications for interment to obtain a benefit for himself.

Detective Sergeant Marcy Nu’u told the Court that various out-of-town fees were charged for burials of people at Waikumete who at

the time of their deaths were not residents or ratepayers of Auckland. She said that an application for interment submitted by funeral directors included the residential address of the deceased. After a council audit it became apparent there were a number of out-of-town fee discrepancies involving Brown. Police inquiries suggested that a large number of interment applications prepared by Brown had recorded addresses that did not involve out-of-town fees. Next-of-kin and the es-

tates of deceased people were, in fact debited with the out-of-town fees payable.

She said that compensation, if considered, would amount to $3780. Brown had indicated he would make recompense.

Brown told the police he had objected to paying the fees as they caused his own to be greater than most other funeral directors.

Sentencing the defendant, the Judge said that he was surprised and disappointed that a man of good reputation and character should now find himself before a court.