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Washington County Cemetery Owner On Trial For Stealing Funds

CHARLEROI (WASHINGTON COUNTY) -- A former Washington County cemetery owner will go to trial on charges he stole nearly $28,000 meant for the maintenance of the cemetery grounds.

Joseph Minkovich is facing several charges including felony theft.

He was the owner of Charleroi Cemetery from 2009-2013. During that time, Washington County District Attorney Gene Vittone claims Minkovich transferred money from the BNY Mellon trust account to a private account at the Mon Valley Community Federal Credit Union. There, the DA said Minkovich deposited the funds into CDs and took out a loan to use for credit card payments and personal expenses.

After Monday's preliminary hearing, Minkovich's attorney said the accusations against his client were false.

"There were no complaints between 2009-2013 because my client took care of the cemetery, spending all the money, his money, and did a good job of it," said Defense Attorney Neil Marcus.

Marcus added the cemetery was not bringing in enough money to cover the cost of maintenance, and the cemetery could not have been sustained without the $27,901 Minkovich withdrew from the cemetery's trust.

"He's not a bookkeeper. He's not a CPA. We think it was done that way previously by other entities, but the point is the money was spent taking care of the cemetery," said Marcus.

The defense attorney also said Minkovich gave him legitimate receipts showing the money was used on the cemetery, but the DA said it just does not add up.

"Over the 30-40 years this trust was in existence, no one ever took out that much money to offset maintenance, expense and preservation of the cemetery," said Washington County District Attorney Gene Vittone. "So, I find it hard to believe that money would be dissipated that quickly for legitimate expenses."

Families with plots at the Charleroi Cemetery said the century-old cemetery is in deplorable conditions. A group of volunteers has vowed to clean up the grounds and raise money for its maintenance.

The cemetery has changed hands a few times the past decade

Current owners, James and Anna Price, have declined to be interviewed on camera, but have told KDKA's Andy Sheehan that when they bought the cemetery last year, the fund had been drained and they no longer have money to maintain the graves.

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