Bergen County Cemetery Employees Take $180K from Customers, Use it for Personal Use

Two former Saint Mary’s Cemetery workers were arrested and charged Thursday after a ten month investigation revealed they allegedly took cash payments from cemetery customers and used it for personal use.

Denise J. Dagostino, 50, and Kathy Barbier, 42, both of Garfield, used payments received by customers, who purchased cemetery plots and mausoleum crypts in the Saddle Brook cemetery, for their personal use, according to Bergen County Prosecutor John L. Molinelli.

The total amount of payments the duo allegedly used is approximately $180,000.

Dagostino was charged with one count of theft by deception, one count of failure to make required disposition and one count of falsifying records.

Barbier was charged with one count of theft by deception and one count of conspiracy to commit theft by deception.

Bail for Dagostino was set at $25,000 with no ten percent option. Bail for Barbier was set at $50,000 with no ten percent option.

Both were remanded to the Bergen County Jail in lieu of bail.