This grave robber worked above ground, swiping hundreds of thousands of dollars that grieving relatives paid for their loved ones’ plots to splurge on Broadway shows, a luxury car and trips to Vegas.
Ilana Friedman, the 51-year-old bookkeeper at the United Hebrew Cemetery on Staten Island, yesterday pleaded guilty to grand larceny.
Her husband, Arthur, 56, who worked as chief operating officer of the Great Kills cemetery for 15 years, wasn’t criminally charged. But he clearly enjoyed the fruits of her illicit labor, and was barred from working in the industry again as a result, authorities said.
“This law-breaking husband-and-wife team will now pay for their shameless misconduct,” said state Attorney General Eric Schneiderman.
Ilana Friedman stole $850,000 in cash payments slated for headstone installations and grave maintenance, authorities said.She also racked up another $150,000 on her nonprofit employer’s credit card.