Stratford Woman Stole $60K From Cemetery In Bridgeport: Police

STRATFORD, CT — A former cemetery manager previously accused of ordering that old graves be dug up to make room for new ones is now alleged to have stolen thousands of dollars from the cemetery, according to police.

Dale LaPrade, 66, of Stratford, was arrested Sept. 10 on a warrant charging her with first-degree larceny, according to Bridgeport police.

LaPrade withdrew over $670,000 from accounts associated with Park City Cemetery between 2016 and 2018, police said. She sometimes made several cash withdrawals a day, and she spent more than $60,000 in cemetery funds on personal expenses, even though the money was intended to pay for burials and perpetual care, according to police. LaPrade also wrongfully portrayed herself as the cemetery manager while profiting from sales of burial plots and cemetery services, police said.

In 2018, LaPrade was charged with interfering with a cemetery or burial, and was ousted by a judge from her position as cemetery manager, after police found bones, gravestones and pieces of caskets discarded, with new dirt on top of old graves, news media reported at the time.

Law enforcement and court officials are working to stabilize cemetery operations and assist families with finding loved ones buried there, according to police.