The Houston company accused of looting maintenance funds at Lawrence Memorial Park Cemetery has run into trouble in at least a half-dozen states.

Mike Graham & Associates reportedly owns dozens of cemeteries and funeral homes across the country – and in many cases has been accused of letting the cemeteries fall into disrepair due to financial problems.

¢ In Alabama, state officials in October seized control of 12 cemeteries and four funeral homes, all owned by Graham & Associates. Officials said a trust fund for funeral and cemetery services was underfunded by about $2 million.

“Basically, financially they did not have the money to meet their obligations,” said Ragan Ingram, an assistant commissioner in the Alabama Insurance Department.

“We’re not prepared to say criminal activity has taken place,” Ingram said, but added that the investigation continues.

¢ In Oklahoma, the company was forced last year to sell four cemeteries after authorities said it had failed to maintain a trust fund to “perpetually care” for grave sites.

“We were going to take them over or he was going to get rid of them,” said Dudley Gilbert, legal counsel for the Oklahoma State Banking Department. “He chose to get rid of them.”

¢ In Arkansas, Graham & Associates was fined $38,000 after reports of overgrown weeds, broken gravestones and other bad conditions were reported at four cemeteries there.

“He operated about five cemeteries here,” said Matt DeCample, a spokesman for the Arkansas attorney general. “At least one of them went into bankruptcy. Most of them have changed hands since he stopped operating in the state.”

¢ And in Missouri, Atty. Gen. Jay Nixon in August filed an injunction against the company, saying it took money for dozens of grave markers that were never delivered at four cemeteries in Sikeston, Morley and Rolla. Nixon is seeking restitution of about $260,000 to more than 100 customers.

Court filings in Kansas this week indicated Graham & Associates had also had problems in Oregon, Illinois and Georgia. Officials from those states did not respond Wednesday to inquiries; the company has said it will not comment on the allegations.