Delco Headstone Makers Took Customer Money Without Delivering: AG

UPPER DARBY, PA — A Delaware County-based gravestone maker is being sued by Pennsylvania authorities after being accused of not providing grave markers that customers paid for.

Pennsylvania Attorney General Josh Shapiro filed a suit against Upper Darby's 1843, LLC, as well as Gregory J. Stefan, Sr., Gregory J. Stefan, Jr. and Gerard Stefan, doing business as Lifestone by Stefan.

The suit alleges these parties charged consumers for headstones that were never delivered or were delivered late, denied consumers full refunds when requested, and solicited consumers in misleading and dishonest ways.

This suit is similar to one filed in 2015 that alleged Lifestone By Stefan, LLC, Stefan Memorials, Inc. and Gregory Stefan Sr., for charging consumers for headstones that were delivered late or never delivered, and for not paying full refunds to consumers who requested those refunds. In

January this year, the AG's office filed a contempt petition against Lifestone, Stefan Memorials and Stefan, Sr., which resulted in a judgment for more than $300,000 in restitution, civil penalties and costs, and an injunction against Stefan Sr., that prevented him from owning, managing, or having any significant involvement in any business that provides or engraves headstones for consumers.

However, before that injection took place Stefan and his sons established a new business under the name 1843, LLC, Shapiro's office said.

Now, the AG's office is suing again.

"My office had previously taken Gregory Stefan Sr. to court, making sure he could not mislead Pennsylvanian consumers again. However, 1843, LLC, Stefan Sr., and his two sons continued to engage in conduct which violated Pennsylvania’s Consumer Protection Law," Shaprio said. "This lawsuit asks the court to shut them down for good. I’m urging anyone who has been scammed by 1843, LLC, or any of its aliases to file a complaint with my office."

It is also alleged that the parties were known to call residents who had recently lost loved ones and claimed that they were the preferred vendor for or are affiliated with a cemetery, but Shapiro's office said that was untrue.

According to the Philadelphia Inquirer, Stefan Jr. is being criminal prosecuted by the Philadelphia District Attorney's Office and is facing charges filed by the Chester County District Attorney’s Office for allegedly failing to deliver a headstone to a paying customer.

Shapiro said residents be aware of other business names used by the defendants, including: Colonial Memorials, Stefan Memorial Group, The Memorial Company, Gallagher Memorials, Alessi Memorials, 1843 Memorials/Cartledge, and 1843 New Britain/Quakertown Memorials.

Residents who have been affected by these companies should contact the Office of Attorney General online here.