Attorney denies rumors of grave moving at Park Cemetery
“Contrary to the false and misleading information circulating, public officials are not moving graves or tombstones within the cemetery.” State’s Attorney Joseph Corradino
BRIDGEPORT — The city’s troubled Park Cemetery, the subject of allegations of embezzlement and grave switching against its former manager, is once again at the center of controversy.
Numerous claims were made on social media last week of graves being dug up there and other illicit activity after families went to the Lindley Street cemetery to find the gates locked.
Law enforcement officials confirmed Thursday that a continuing investigation is going on at the cemetery but denied that any graves are being moved.
“Recently, inaccurate information has been circulating online and in social
media concerning official activities at Park Cemetery,” said State’s Attorney Joseph Corradino.
He said during the past two years, the Bridgeport Police Department, the Office of the State’s Attorney for the Judicial District of Fairfield and the court-appointed board of directors of the cemetery have been reviewing several aspects of past operations at Park Cemetery.
“Last week, these activities caused a temporary closure of the cemetery and the postponement of an interment,” Corradino continued. “Contrary to the false and misleading information circulating, public officials are not moving graves or tombstones within the cemetery. The official activities carried out at the cemetery during that time were consistent with public duty and the respect appropriate to a place of burial.”
Corradino said because it’s an ongoing investigation, he could not comment further but added upon conclusion, a full public accounting will be provided.
“All of the agencies involved in this endeavor are committed to insuring dignity and respect for the generations of our community’s departed residents interred there, the consolation of their families and the integrity of the cemetery’s fiscal operations,” Corradino said.
Last month, the former manager of the cemetery, 66-year-old Dale LaPrade, was charged with firstdegree larceny.
LaPrade, manager of the cemetery for the past 12 years, was charged with interference with a cemetery and second-degree larceny in July 2019 following an intensive investigation by police detectives. Police said dozens of headstones, some dating to the 1800s, had been moved at Park Cemetery so the newly dead could be buried in plots stacked on old graves.
LaPrade was initially arrested in 2014 after police said Luis Castillo paid LaPrade $1,150 for a burial plot for his deceased wife and himself. A few weeks later, he went to visit his wife’s grave and found that a stranger had been buried in the plot next to her — the plot meant for Castillo.
Castillo said LaPrade admitted she made a mistake and agreed to rebury Castillo’s wife in another plot with a second empty grave for an additional $1,350.
All the cases against LaPrade are pending in Superior Court. Her public defender declined comment.