Brookville Taxidermist Faces More Charges After More Victims Come Forward

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

A Brookville, Pennsylvania business owner who was previously charged with fraudulent practices is now facing additional charges after more victims came forward with similar complaints. Chad Kurtz, the 53-year-old owner of Chad Kurtz Taxidermy, was originally charged in February after 16 victims reported he took their money and animal hides but failed to complete the taxidermy work they paid him for. Now, 16 more victims have come forward with the same allegations against Kurtz.

Why it matters

This case highlights ongoing concerns about consumer fraud, particularly in niche service industries like taxidermy where customers may have limited options and recourse. The growing number of victims coming forward also raises questions about Kurtz's potential pattern of deceptive business practices and whether authorities should have intervened sooner to protect the public.

The details

According to the criminal complaint, one victim alleged he gave Kurtz a $900 down payment in 2019 to mount a bear he had hunted, but never received the finished product or his money back. Another victim said he paid Kurtz a $600 deposit in 2019 to have a bear made into a rug, but three years later the hide was never returned. A third victim did get his hide back, but was told by another taxidermist that it was ruined. When police contacted Kurtz, he claimed he had filed for bankruptcy and was not responsible for returning anything to customers.

• In June 2024, the initial 16 victims contacted police with complaints about Kurtz.
• In January 2026, the investigation into Kurtz's business practices began.
• In February 2026, 16 more victims came forward with similar allegations against Kurtz.
• In December 2025, police executed a search warrant for Kurtz's bank records, finding a closed business account with a negative balance.

What’s next

A preliminary hearing for Chad Kurtz is scheduled for February 25, 2026.