HARRISBURG, PA – Attorney General Dave Sunday has filed a lawsuit against a Johnstown woman accused of pocketing nearly $32,000 from grieving families while operating her late father’s funeral home without fulfilling the services promised.
According to the complaint, Brittany Thomas collected pre-paid costs from at least 14 consumers while managing Moskal-Reid Funeral Home and Cremation Services, but failed to carry out the funeral arrangements or issue refunds. The funeral home and its assets were sold in September 2023.
Thomas allegedly took in $31,749 for services including cremations, death notices, and certificates. In one case, a woman who paid Thomas for her mother’s funeral later discovered the funeral home also accepted payment from an insurance company, resulting in a $12,184 overpayment that has not been refunded.
The Pennsylvania Board of Funeral Directors has already revoked the funeral home’s license and issued a cease-and-desist order against Thomas, barring her from providing funeral services.
Sunday said the lawsuit seeks to secure restitution for affected families, impose civil penalties, and permanently prohibit Thomas from working as a funeral director in Pennsylvania.
“Funeral directors are expected to offer comfort and dignified services, not cause further anguish,” Sunday said.
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Key Points
- Brittany Thomas accused of taking nearly $32,000 for funeral services never provided.
- At least 14 families allegedly defrauded while Thomas managed Moskal-Reid Funeral Home.
- AG’s lawsuit seeks restitution, penalties, and permanent ban on Thomas as a funeral director.
Families in mourning were left without services — and now the state is stepping in.