PATERSON, N.J. (AP) -- A New Jersey funeral director who illegally collected more than $56,000 in funeral expense subsidies has lost his professional license.
Manuel Martinez of Paterson also must serve one year of probation under the sentence imposed Friday, the same day he reimbursed the Passaic County Board of Social Services $56,150. He had pleaded guilty in June to theft by deception.
The 56-year-old operated Martinez's Funeraria Latina in Paterson, providing funeral services to those who received public assistance, and was eligible to be reimbursed up to $2,246 per decedent to subsidize their funeral costs.
Martinez admitted submitting 25 fraudulent reimbursement applications last year which included false statements on behalf of family representatives, without their knowledge.
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