HOUSTON – An unlicensed Houston funeral home director is charged with five felonies after investigators say they submitted forged documents to obtain a state license — and then stole the estate of a man whose family hired them for his funeral.
Unique Green, also referred to in court records as Michael Green, is the unlicensed director of A Community Funeral Home on Wheeler Avenue.
Green now faces charges including theft, forgery, and tampering with government records, according to court records.
The Harris County Precinct 1 Constable’s Office confirmed Green was arrested on Tuesday afternoon.
The charges were brought by the Houston Police Department and the Precinct 1 Constable’s Office after a monthslong investigation, according to records.
How the alleged scheme unfolded
Lawrence Gammon, 78, died naturally last summer, according records, at his home on Tottenham Drive. Police found his body in the late stages of decomposition.
Gammon’s out-of-state family, after learning of his death through the welfare check they requested from police, contacted Green for funeral services and provided personal information over email, according to records.
One of the family members told Houston PD he had “no idea Defendant used this information for fraud,” records state.
Within weeks of Gammon’s death, records show Green allegedly filed a fraudulent last will and testament claiming to be Gammon’s common-law spouse — and sole heir to his entire estate.
“Her loyalty and companionship during those times of vulnerability only deepened my gratitude and reinforced my desire to ensure her well-being after my passing,” the alleged fraudulent document reads.
But Adam Brodrick, the chief of consumer fraud at the Harris County District Attorney’s Office, said the two had no connection before his death.
While pretending to be his widow, Green allegedly stole Gammon’s three vehicles, his home on Tottenham Drive, and nearly $2.2 million from his bank accounts, according to records.
“When we bury a loved one, we cry together, we smile together, we laugh about good times, and we remember a life well lived,” Brodrick said. “Green has effectively robbed this family of that experience.”
Brodrick described the case as “very sophisticated” and said simply: “It’s as bad as it gets.”
Records show Green allegedly obtained access to Gammon’s personal bank accounts and allegedly opened an account called “Estate of Lawrence E Gammon” using a falsified death certificate.
Police raid during an active funeral
In November, Houston police raided A Community Funeral Home on Wheeler Avenue in the middle of a funeral service.
KPRC 2 cameras captured investigators removing boxes of electronics and 48 boxes of cremains — including, according to records, those of Lawrence Gammon.
Investigators wrote in court records that some families told them they’d been waiting for the remains of their loved ones since 2023.
Forged credentials, no license
Some of the felony charges brought by the Pct. 1 Constable’s Office stem from allegations that Green also submitted fraudulent documents to the Texas Funeral Service Commission, claiming to have military experience as an “exceptional embalmer” with an outstanding reputation.
Records show Green never served in the armed forces and never obtained a license as a funeral director or embalmer — all while operating A Community Funeral Home.
In addition, investigators said Green forged the signature of a past employee at A Community Funeral Home in documents submitted to the TFSC to operate the business, despite that former employee telling investigators he never gave oral or written permission for Green to become the funeral director in charge.
Attorney responds; more victims possible
An attorney representing Green in the ongoing probate case tied to this case said he was not aware of the new felony charges when contacted by KPRC 2 News on Tuesday afternoon.
He said Green maintains having rights to Gammon’s estate but would not elaborate on how the two knew each other.
A phone number for Green went straight to voicemail on Tuesday evening.
Prosecutors say they have not ruled out additional victims connected to the scheme and urged anyone with information to contact the Harris County District Attorney’s Office Consumer Fraud Unit.