Details on an investigation related to Filbeck-Cann and King owner and operator Tim King have continued to develop in recent days.
Commonwealth’s Attorney Mark Blankenship confirmed to local media outlets that King was the subject of a Kentucky Department of Insurance investigation alleging that King had sold insurance policies to cover funeral expenses but not actually purchased the policies. Investigators were attempting to determine whether King had pocketed premium monies families paid to him for prepaid funeral expenses.
State investigators, with assistance from Kentucky State Police and local law enforcement, executed search warrants on three properties Monday – the funeral home, crematorium and a personal property – searching for evidence in the case. Elizabeth Kuhn, public information officer for the Kentucky Cabinet for Public Protection, confirmed the investigation was ongoing but declined to release additional details.
Assistant Commonwealth Attorney Jacob Ford said Wednesday that no charges had yet been filed. He declined to comment on record as to whether evidence would be presented to the grand jury when it met again on Tuesday, citing the ongoing investigation.
The fraud investigation remains the only probe under way in the case. Danny Percell, chairman for the Kentucky Board of Embalmers and Funeral Directors said he was aware that King was the subject of a CPP investigation, however his board had not launched a probe of its own.
“Once we have their findings, if there has been a breakage of law then we will do our investigation,” Percell said. “If something is wrong, of course we will start our own investigation.”
Percell said the board had seen no allegations against King. In the event the board is presented with findings of wrongdoing, a disciplinary hearing and subsequent sanction will take place.
No other actions have been taken against King in Marshall County Circuit Court related to recent allegations, though the Marshall County Grand Jury indicted King in March on charges of theft by deception under $10,000.
According to the indictment, on Jan. 17, King issued a check or sight order for $805.25 to Country Chevrolet in Benton knowing it would not be honored. The grand jury returned the indictment on March 28. Charges were dismissed without prejudice in April after King paid full restitution and fees, according to court documents.