Get Marty: Former Kittanning Cemetery Caretaker Scams Families

KITTANNING (KDKA) - The State Police reached out to Get Marty to help folks in Kittanning who got scammed.

"If it was my family members I would be upset, it hits you in the heart a little bit," said State Trooper Terry Geibel.

They reached out after a number of folks were ripped off by a con-man at the 200 Kittanning Cemetery.

The former caretaker at the cemetery pled guilty to theft charges a few months ago. State police say James Howard took cash from folks buying plots and spent the money on drugs and alcohol.

"We are hoping your coverage will get more victims to come forward. We are also hopeful you will be able to get victims their family cemetery plots," says Trooper Geibel.

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"All we want is a place to be buried," said Audrey Claypool. Lee and Audrey Claypool bought a plot at the Kittanning Cemetery only to find out they were scammed.

The Kittanning Cemetery told them they don't own the plot. The cemetery also told them they would have to buy new plots.

That did not sit well with Marty, so he got Pittsburgh attorney Jon Perry involved. "It's wrong on every level. It's wrong on a legal level. It's wrong on a moral level," said Perry.

Perry said he will sue the cemetery on behalf of all victims of the scam if they do not provide them with cemetery plots.

A spokesman for the Kittanning Cemetery says they will do all they can to help the victims.