Victims relieved as former P.E.I. funeral director sentenced to jail
Lowell Oakes defrauded customers out of $425K over 20 years
Lowell Oakes, a former funeral director who stole more than $425,000 earmarked for prepaid funerals, was sentenced Wednesday in P.E.I. Supreme Court to two year less a day in jail.
Because the sentence is less than two years, Oakes will not have to spend his sentence in a federal penitentiary.
He did not speak in court, and was led out in handcuffs.
Oakes, 71, was the owner of Dawson Funeral Home in Crapaud. He pleaded guilty to 66 counts of fraud in August, including 36 counts of fraud over $5,000.
RCMP found the instances went as far back as 1996.
Instead of putting money for prepaid funerals in a trust, Oakes told creditors the money was used for operating expenses and to fund his gambling addiction.
RCMP announced an investigation into Dawson Funeral Home in February 2022, and in May of that year Oakes's funeral director licence was revoked.
In her sentencing, Judge Tracey Clements said the offences were a large-scale fraud and "not a mere lapse in judgment."
"The criminal activity occurred over and over and over again."
About a dozen victims were in court on Wednesday.
Trying to recoup money
Debbie Matters, whose parents lost $18,000, was relieved to hear Oakes will be spending time in custody.
"His neighbours ... they drive by and see him walking around and doing whatever he wants to do after having taken money from people. And a lot of people, my father for instance, grew up with him," Matters said. "There is some satisfaction he's not going to be continuing to be in the community."
Families said there is relief the case is over, but many are still worried about the money they lost. The judge issued a restitution order, which requires an offender to pay victims if they are able.
However, Oakes has declared bankruptcy, so some families hope the government will step in to compensate them.
With files from Laura Meader and Kevin Yarr