6/25/2002 Menorah Gardens - Media Alert -

Twenty Four Families Join Suit Against Menorah Gardens Board of Rabbis React To Attorney General's Examiner Appointment

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. - Attorney, Ted Leopold of Ricci~Leopold, P.A., added 24 plaintiffs to the law suit originally filed against SCI Funeral Services of Florida, Inc., a Florida corporation doing business as Menorah Gardens & Funeral Chapel, and against Service Corporation International, a Houston, Texas based corporation. The amended complaint was filed Friday, June 21, 2002.

The amended complaint, states numerous claims against Menorah Gardens and Service Corporation International which include: secretly breaking and opening burial vaults and dumping remains in a wooded area where the remains may have been consumed by wild animals; burying remains in locations other than those purchased by plaintiffs; crushing burial vaults in order to make room for other vaults; burying remains on top of the other rather than side-by-side; secretly digging up and removing remains; secretly burying remains head-to-foot rather than side-by-side; secretly mixing body parts and remains from different individuals; secretly allowing plots owned by one part to be occupied by a different person; secretly selling plots in rows where there were more graves assigned than the rows could accommodate; secretly allowing graves to encroach on other plots; secretly selling plots so narrow that the plots could not accommodate standard burial vaults; secretly participating in the desecration of gravesites and markers and failing to exercise reasonable care in handling the plaintiffs' loved ones' remains.

In reaction to the continuous number of complaints, as well as a Florida Attorney General's (AG) investigation into Menorah Gardens/SCI, the AG appointed an examiner to oversee Menorah Gardens. However, that individual recently resigned from the position citing an ongoing "health issue." Last week Mr. Leopold, a partner attorney in the firm, met with Rabbi Alan Sherman, Executive Vice President of the Palm Beach County Board of Rabbis and Community Chaplin with the Jewish Federation of Palm Beach County and the Florida Attorney General. Mr. Leopold and Rabbi Sherman expressed to the AG that families see no relief or answers in sight. Families and the Jewish clergy continue to question what is actually happening at Menorah Gardens. They are angry none of the identifiable problems have been resolved. "We are deeply concerned that SCI no longer has a receiver," said Mr. Leopold. "This adds more reason that litigation needs to move forward to protect these families, as well as families that have done or will do business with SCI and Menorah Gardens."

Rabbi Sherman pointed out to the AG's office that the Board of Rabbis wants input as to the responsibilities and the selection of a receiver. Rabbi Sherman adds, "The questions that we have concerning Menorah Gardens seem endless. Will the receiver supervise the land and burial survey and the examination process? Will the survey attempt to determine the root cause of the cemetery layout problems? Will the receiver ensure that systems are in place to prevent future abuse and provide accountability to families? The list goes on and on." Rabbi Sherman indicated SCI has used economic influence against Rabbis who have been critical of the corporation's abuses at Menorah Gardens.

"To say that we are deeply concerned about the quick, yet careful, appointment of a new examiner would be at best an understatement," said Mr. Leopold. "We have families still waiting to know if their loved ones are where they are supposed to be and that Jewish customs and traditions have been followed. Rabbi Sherman and I both believe the examiner should be someone completely impartial to the funeral and cemetery industry. SCI is a huge corporation and its arm of influence in thhe industry is everywhere. The new examiner appointed, must be an individual who the families can trust to find the facts, sort out the abuses and to provide answers to families. The courts can provide redress for what SCI has done; however, the examiner can answer some of the questions that remain."

Theodore J. Leopold is a partner in the law firm of Ricci~Leopold, P.A. The firm founded in 1982, has six attorneys and is headquartered in West Palm Beach, Florida, with offices located at 1645 Palm Beach Lakes Boulevard Mr. Leopold can be contacted at 561-684-6500. Additional information about Ricci~Leopold, P.A. may be obtained from the firm's website at www.riccilaw.com.

The suit filed on behalf of the plaintiffs by Mr. Leopold addresses wrongful and illegal acts committed by Menorah Gardens/SCI at both the West Palm Beach (9321 Memorial Park Road) and Ft. Lauderdale (21100 W. Griffin Road) locations. A copy of the amended complaint is available on the firm's website - click "News, Updates & Newsletter" on the menu bar at the right on the firm's homepage, then "Complaint Against Menorah Gardens."