WESTFORD, Mass. — The owner of a Westford monument business charged with larceny was ordered to set money aside to refund his victims during a court hearing on Wednesday.
John Thomas “J.T.” Smith, owner of Garside Monuments on Tyngsboro Road, was ordered to put $10,000 in an escrow account by Aug. 25, and $1,000 a month due on the 25th of the month, during his appearance in Ayer District Court. He was also ordered to have no contact with his victims. He is charged with four counts of larceny over $1,200 by false pretense and two counts of larceny over $1,200.
Smith is accused of taking money from several people who purchased gravestones during their times of grief. According to small claims court documents and police reports, Garside Monuments on several occasions did not follow through with items and services that were paid for by customers.
According to Westford Police, as of July 25, there are a total of at least 35 police reports making accusations against Smith, with most of the complaints filed by customers alleging that they’re still waiting on headstones and engravements that they paid for but never received.
Prosecutors said in court Wednesday that each customer’s case averages about $5,000.
Most of the customers accuse Smith of making up an array of excuses, not showing up for meetings, dodging calls, and eventually cutting off communication.
A spokesperson for the Massachusetts Attorney General said on July 25 that its office has received at least 16 complaints this year from consumers regarding Garside Monuments.
This is a developing story. Check back for updates as more information becomes available.
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