N.Y. AG files lawsuit against funeral home

BUFFALO, N.Y. (Legal Newsline) - New York Attorney General Eric Schneiderman announced a lawsuit Tuesday to prevent a Tonawanda-based funeral home from reopening its crematory following alleged environmental violations.

Amigone Funeral Home Inc. allegedly engaged in persistent violations, generating offensive odors, excessive noise and soot into a residential neighborhood. A July 2012 agreement with Schneiderman's office resulted in Amigone suspending operations at the crematory, but the funeral home recently signaled an intent to restart operations.

"The Amigone crematory has cast a shadow over this Tonawanda community for too long," Schneiderman said. "The crematory's offensive nuisance emissions have long plagued residents, interfering with such basic pleasures as opening windows and enjoying backyards. This lawsuit will reassure this community that the Amigone crematory will never again pollute their air and disrupt their lives. With this action, my office is standing with the residents of Tonawanda to protect their right to enjoy clean, fresh air."

Schneiderman's lawsuit alleges Amigone is unable to operate the crematory without creating a nuisance for nearby residents and violating state pollution laws. The lawsuit seeks to permanently block Amigone's operation of the crematory and the payment of penalties for the allegedly repeated violations of state air pollution and other laws.