A Kentucky couple has pleaded guilty to several criminal charges in connection with an insurance scam that involved stealing funeral insurance premiums.

Tim and Becky King, owners of Filbeck-McCann & King Funeral Home in Benton, Ky., pleaded guilty to two counts of fraudulent insurance acts, one count of theft by unlawful taking or disposition over $500, one count of theft by unlawful taking or disposition ($500-$10,000), one count of criminal possession of a forged instrument, and two misdemeanor counts of fraudulent insurance acts, according to the Kentucky Department of Insurance.

The DOI began investigating the Kings in February of 2017 following allegations that life insurance policies were being sold as pre-burial arrangements by unlicensed individuals, and that the premiums for those policies were being stolen. The investigation revealed that although the funeral home had a licensed insurance agent on staff, the Kings sold policies, forged the agent’s name on documents, and stole the premiums. In total, the Kings stole more than $312,000 on 72 policies, the DOI found.

“Policyholders trusted that they would be covered during a difficult time, and they were exploited,” said DOI Commissioner Nancy G. Atkins. “I commend the investigators of the Division of Insurance Fraud Investigation for their diligence in helping to bring justice to these families.”