NORTH OLMSTED, Ohio — A former North Olmsted funeral home owner has been indicted on multiple felonies following accusations he defrauded multiple customers out of thousands of dollars.
According to the Cuyahoga County Prosecutor's Office, 68-year-old Mark Kacirek received more than $4,000 from a 104-year-old woman named Maguerita Riske in pre-paid funeral expenses. These payments occurred more than four years ago, and Riske told police she contacted Kacirek in late 2018 to confirm the details.
However, Riske later learned Kacirek's license had expired in 2012, and that the former Kacirek Funeral Home located near Lorain and Stearns Roads had gone out of business in 2009. Authorities say an investigation later revealed Kacirek had not refunded 14 accounts that were supposed to be insured in the event the company went out of business, instead using that money (at least $7,500 total) for operating expenses.
Kacirek is charged with theft against Riske and receiving stolen property from her and 13 others, both fourth-degree felonies. He is scheduled to be arraigned on Sept. 4 at 8:30 p.m. and faces up to 18 months in prison.