SEABROOK, N.H. -- A former employee of Bayview Crematory told police that he forged paperwork at the facility that is now the focus of a criminal investigation, according to court documents.

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Facility Accused Of Mishandling Remains

Several New Hampshire families plan to file a class-action lawsuit against the Seabrook business later this week over allegations that the crematorium mishandled remains. The criminal probe is ongoing, and former employee Jim Fuller has been interviewed by investigators.

"I can tell you Mr. Fuller was at the crematory when we raided it in February, and he was cooperative with law enforcement," Rockingham County Attorney Jim Reams said. "I can't comment on his statements to law enforcement."

News 9 was able to obtain a copy of court documents detailing Fuller's interview with investigators. In that meeting, Fuller confessed to forging required paperwork 20 to 25 times, and he admitted that he knew at least one other co-worker who did the same.

Fuller said that he forged signatures of medical examiners by taking a real signature and making copies to create blank forms. Some forgeries allegedly led to some families being double billed.

When told by investigators that he may have just committed numerous felonies, Fuller first was defiant, saying, " I'm not going to take the fall for this," but moments later, he accepted responsibility, saying, "This is my thing."

The lack of a paper trail at the crematorium has made it difficult to reassure grieving families that they received the remains of their loved ones from Bayview.

When challenged during the interview to defend the poor paperwork, Fuller -- a day-shift worker who effectively ran the crematorium -- assured investigators that he knew who was who based "on my integrity," according to the documents.

Fuller told News 9 he was unable to comment on the investigation. His only public statement came by phone on March 1, when he said, "We are very caring of our people. We have an identification process that is flawless."

In the coming weeks, a state task force will offer updated rules and procedures for operating crematories. State officials are working with families to release full records of their loved ones.