Michigan To Sell 28 Cemeteries Owned By Oklahoman

Tuesday, September 25th 2007, 2:16 pm

By: News On 6

LANSING, Mich. (AP) -- The state of Michigan is selling 28 cemeteries it's been overseeing since allegations surfaced that the Oklahoman who owns them embezzled cemetery trust funds.

The state began managing the cemeteries in December after Clayton Smart of Okmulgee was accused of embezzlement.

Smart faces similar charges in Memphis, Tennessee.

Officials say Michigan will sell the cemeteries for $32 million to David Shipper who owns 12 cemeteries in Indiana and two in New York.

The money from the sale includes a deposit to put back funds that were missing from trust accounts at the cemeteries.

A hearing on a petition to approve the sale is scheduled for Friday.

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