A former Streator funeral director who lost his state license after alleged professional misconduct turned himself in Friday on multiple felony warrants.
William "BJ" Elias, 51, is charged with 14 counts of violating the Illinois Funeral Funds or Burial Act in between 2003 and 2019. Illinois Comptroller Susana Mendoza said Elias stole more than $136,000.
State regulators suspended his license indefinitely after he failed to file for a death certificate for a deceased Streator woman for more than two years and didn't appear state regulatory hearings on the matter. It was revoked last October.
The Streator Police Department issued warrants for Elias' arrest after taking multiple reports of misappropriated money linked to pre-arranged funeral trust contracts.
Elias was funeral director of the family-owned Elias Funeral Home since 1991. He posted $7,500 bond for release from the LaSalle County Jail.
