A former Pittsburgh-area funeral director accused of theft by deception is scheduled for a plea hearing at the Allegheny County Courthouse today. The Pennsylvania Attorney General reports that Patrick Vereb defrauded more than 6,500 pet owners.
Investigators allege Vereb promised to cremate pets but instead dumped the animals in a landfill and provided owners with ashes from other animals. Vereb previously halted his trial, stating that he planned to enter a guilty plea to the highest charge of theft by deception.
Officials emphasized that the court appearance is a plea hearing rather than a plea deal. At this point, there is no agreement regarding Vereb’s punishment, which could range anywhere from house arrest to prison time.
Tiffany Mantzouridis, a former employee of Vereb, stated that she witnessed the impact on victims firsthand.
“No sentence nor outcome is going to bring people’s pets back or get rid of the mental trauma and distress people have gone through as victims,” Mantzouridis said.
A judge will determine Vereb’s sentence at a later date.
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