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Ex-funeral director gets 90 day sentence in pre-pay scam

WARREN — Former Girard funeral home director Robert J. McClurkin on Monday received a 90-day jail sentence for his conviction on 11 felony counts linked to a pre-need funeral scam.

McClurkin, 52, of 219 S. State St., also received another 90 days of electronically monitored house arrest. He will report to jail on Jan. 2.

McClurkin on July 20 pleaded guilty to felony charges of theft from an elderly person or disabled adult, grand theft, theft, three counts of tampering with records, two counts of forgery and three counts of violation of a pre-need funeral contract.

The county Adult Probation Department — in its pre-sentence report — recommended the probation after McClurkin paid $157,241.50 in restitution.

The defendant appeared with his attorney, Robert Shaker, before Trumbull County Judge W. Wyatt McKay, who, as another term of McClurkin’s probation, ordered him to complete 600 hours of community service and write an apology letter to each of the 25 victims in the case.

Trumbull County assistant prosecutor Diane Barber said her office did not recommend any prison time because restitution has been made.

“We care that the victims in the case have been paid,” Barber said.

None of the victims were in court Monday morning to give an impact statement. The Probation Department reported all of the victims have been located except for three former Girard residents whose whereabouts are presently unknown.

Barber also said she had no objection to the defense motion that McClurkin start his jail term until after the holidays.

“We are glad this is over,” Shaker said. “He (McClurkin) is ready to move on.”

Shaker said McClurkin will be able to start his community service immediately. The manner of service will be determined by the Adult Probation Department.

Authorities said McClurkin and his brother, Patrick, stole money from people paying for their funerals ahead of time so their families would not have financial worries when they pass away.

Patrick McClurkin received no jail time after pleading guilty to a host of felonies and was sentenced by Judge Ronald J. Rice in May to 90 days of electronically monitored house arrest and five years of probation. He also was ordered to make restitution of $204,268 by Jan. 1, 2017.

Prosecutors said Patrick McClurkin had agreed to testify against his brother, who dealt with the financial end of the funeral home business.

Both brothers had their licenses suspended in 2013 by the Ohio Board of Embalmers and Funeral Directors. Their former funeral home on South State Street in Girard has been taken over by the Kinnick Funeral Home.

gvogrin@tribtoday.com

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