Funeral home manager sentenced after embezzling conviction - ABC 12 – WJRT – Flint, MI

(11/30/12) - It is seven-20 years in prison and nearly half a million dollars in restitution for Erica Kaznowski.

She's the Bay County funeral home business manager convicted of embezzling money that was supposed to go toward pre-paid funeral expenses for dozens of Mid-Michigan families.

There are 89 victims connected to this case, and we heard from a number of them at her sentencing Friday.

But first we heard from Kaznowski.

"I never meant to hurt anyone doing this and I will do the very best I can to make it up to everybody. I'm very sorry I let anybody down," she said.

The courtroom was packed Friday afternoon.

Kaznowski was convicted of using the money they gave her, money they pre-paid for funeral services, illegally - and for years.

Her defense attorney said she intended to pay it back and that she was using the money to support the business - Stapish-Cederberg funeral homes in Bay City and Hampton Township.

We heard from a number of families Friday, and they had very harsh words for her.

"We do not want to hear that this is your first offense. I don't want to hear that you will make restitution. That's a heck of a lot of money. It took you years to steal it. We want years for you to regret it," said Jean Buda, niece of one of the victims.