CHARLEROI (KDKA) -- A former cemetery owner in Washington County has been charged with stealing money that was supposed to be used to care for the graves.

Joseph Minkovich is accused of stealing $28,000 from Charleroi Cemetery and spending it on himself.

The cemetery is now in deplorable conditions, weeds have grown over the grave sites and many veterans' graves were neglected, too.

People in the town have been volunteering to clean it up and raising money to continue to care for it.

But some who have relatives buried there find it hard to believe someone would steal the maintenance money.

"Deserves to prosecuted," said Regis Leach of Monongahela. "You just can't let this go without doing something about it, I believe."

Minkovich is charged with felony theft and other charges.

"In 2010, Minkovich requested that the trust be liquidated from the Bank of New York, and then proceeds sent to him," said Washington County District Attorney Gene Vittone.

But Vittone said Minkovich couldn't be found.

The Washington County District says there could be more charges to come.

State Police say they also fear that some families who bought plots at the cemetery won't have anywhere to bury their loved ones when it comes time to use them.

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