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Department of Consumer and Worker Protection Secures More Than $600,000 for Consumers Harmed by R.G. Ortiz Funeral Homes
August 26, 2024
NEW YORK, NY – Department of Consumer and Worker Protection (DCWP) Commissioner Vilda Vera Mayuga today announced an agreement with R.G. Ortiz Funeral Homes to provide more than $604,000 in restitution for consumers they exploited as well as $100,000 in civil penalties. In April, DCWP filed a lawsuit against R.G. Ortiz for egregious violations of the city’s Consumer Protection Law, including refusing to provide information regarding the whereabouts of consumers’ loved ones’ remains, misrepresenting or concealing the prices of services offered, failing to provide services that consumers paid for – in part because they routinely presented remains in unacceptable conditions – among others. R.G. Ortiz operates locations in the Bronx, Brooklyn, and Manhattan, primarily targeting Spanish-speaking communities.
“Mourning the loss of a loved one is one of the hardest experiences anyone has to go through. It is unimaginable that in a family’s hardest moments of grief, they would be exploited and taken advantage of,” said New York City Mayor Eric Adams. “I commend the Department of Consumer and Worker Protection for advocating for consumers and securing over $600,000 in restitution for victims who were wronged, particularly those in our most vulnerable and low-income communities, by R.G. Ortiz Funeral Homes. We will always fight to protect working-class people and today we have some solace that this unscrupulous actor is being held to account.”
“Few moments in our lives are as challenging as when we’re mourning the passing of a loved one, and R.G. Ortiz sought to exploit those moments of grief and prey on vulnerable New Yorkers,” said DCWP Commissioner Vilda Vera Mayuga. “Money will never heal the wounds R.G. Ortiz’s conduct inflicted, but we’re proud to hold this business accountable and secure justice for our neighbors.”
Since 2018, a total of 74 consumers submitted complaints to DCWP detailing R.G. Ortiz’s predatory and deceptive practices targeting grieving families. DCWP launched an investigation and charged R.G. Ortiz with over 82 violations. As part of the settlement, 28 consumers will receive approximately $104,000 in payments, leaving $500,000 for other consumers who have yet to come forward with claims. DCWP encourages New Yorkers harmed by R.G. Ortiz to submit claims online (also available in Spanish).
In addition to consumer restitution and civil penalties, R.G. Ortiz has agreed to comply with the law going forward, including by disclosing the location of remains to consumers upon request, providing services agreed to, and disclosing prices of services and products.
Consumers who were deceived, harmed or exploited by R.G. Ortiz Funeral Homes are encouraged to visit nyc.gov/DCWP or call 311 and say “R.G. Ortiz” to file a complaint.
The investigation was handled by Staff Counsel Kaitlin Kontyko, under the supervision of Associate General Counsel Kristen Dusseau and Deputy General Counsel Melissa Iachán of the General Counsel Division, which is led by DCWP’s General Counsel Michael Tiger.
The NYC Department of Consumer and Worker Protection (DCWP)—formerly the Department of Consumer Affairs (DCA)—protects and enhances the daily economic lives of New Yorkers to create thriving communities. DCWP licenses more than 45,000 businesses in more than 40 industries and enforces key consumer protection, licensing, and workplace laws that apply to countless more. By supporting businesses through equitable enforcement and access to resources and, by helping to resolve complaints, DCWP protects the marketplace from predatory practices and strives to create a culture of compliance. Through its community outreach and the work of its offices of Financial Empowerment and Labor Policy & Standards, DCWP empowers consumers and working families by providing the tools and resources they need to be educated consumers and to achieve financial health and work-life balance. DCWP also conducts research and advocates for public policy that furthers its work to support New York City’s communities. For more information about DCWP and its work, call 311 or visit DCWP at nyc.gov/dcwp or on its social media sites, Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube.
Media Contacts:
Michael Lanza / Stephany Vasquez Sanchez
Department of Consumer and Worker Protection
(212) 436-0042
press@dcwp.nyc.gov