Mortuary owner indicted for theft of state money
Posted on Apr 24, 2015 in Latest Department News, Newsroom, Office of the Governor Press ReleasesHONOLULU – Claus Z. Hansen, owner of Affordable Casket and Moanalua Mortuary in Mapunapuna, was arrested today for theft and money laundering charges after an Oʻahu grand jury returned an indictment against him, Attorney General Doug Chin announced today.
The indictment alleges Hansen stole more than $85,000 from the state funeral payments program, which defrays mortuary costs incurred by friends and families of decedents who received financial assistance from the state in the form of Medicaid, food stamps, and other assistance programs.
Hansen charged customers in full up front with the promise that he would expedite paperwork to accelerate payments from the State and customers would eventually receive a refund from him. According to the indictment at least 168 beneficiaries did not receive the benefits to which they were eligible as of May 31, 2013.
The most serious charges against Hansen include six class B felony counts, each punishable by up to ten years in prison, a $25,000.00 fine and restitution. Hansen turned himself in this morning, posted $250,000 cash bail, and was released pending arraignment in Honolulu circuit court. His arraignment is scheduled for April 30, 2015 at 8:30 a.m. Hansen is presumed innocent unless and until he is found guilty of the charges beyond a reasonable doubt.
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Michael Parrish
Deputy Attorney General
(808) 586-1160
Anne Lopez
Special Assistant to the Attorney General
(808) 586-1284
[email protected]