Ex-partner in Miami Twp. gravestone business says case ‘a horror show’

Credit: DaytonDailyNews

The ex-partner in the Miami Twp. gravestone business that now is the target of a lawsuit filed by the state attorney general seeking refunds for former customers said, “it’s just been a horror show.”

RELATED: Some former customers don't think they'll get their money back

Bob Katz, in an interview Thursday night with News Center 7’s Monica Castro, said he wants an indictment filed against Darren Boykin, who was the owner of the American Memorial Monuments company accused of accepting thousands of dollars from customers and not fulfilling their orders.

Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost is seeking refunds of $50,000 from the former business and Boykin in the consumer protection lawsuit filed this week.

RELATED: Woman says she paid more than $1K for headstone, but there’s no record; police investigate former owner

Katz said he took several witnesses to Columbus to testify before Yost that “Darren was the one who took their money, and Darren was the one who spent their money.”

Katz, who said he was an investor who helped Boykin start the business, said he wants the whole situation cleaned up. He said he even helped some disgruntled customers out of his own pocket, noting he gave one $6,000 in an effort to make things right.

“I want to see the people who paid for their stones get them. That’s pretty much it.”

The gravestone business is closed, he said. “We’ve ceased operations. We’re going to do whatever we can to make it right.”

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