Richeson fraud trial now moved to Aug. 10

By Charles Bolinger
Editor • Despite attempts by freelance reporter Bruce Darnell to contact William Stiehl, Guideon Richeson’s defense attorney, he has not responded to questions after Richeson’s no-show at his June 8 fraud trial.

That trial, which is now scheduled for Aug. 10, represents the fourth time this year it has been kicked down the road.

Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul, whose office has charged Richeson, refuses to comment about ongoing litigation but sebnt a copy of the indictment.

Richeson, who operates two area funeral homes, one in Troy and the other in St. Jacob, is charged with 10 counts of tax fraud and one count of improper book- and record-keeping. The first 10 charges are all Class 4 felonies while the final one is a Class A misdemeanor.

Other issues centered around Richeson include him conducting funerals without a state license to do so, which he has not renewed since 2001, and his lack of residency when he was a trustee for the Village of St. Jacob. He lives in unincorporated north St. Louis County near Florissant.