Baldwin man accused of illegally operating Mount Vernon funeral home faces more serious charges
Michael Naughton is facing several felonies, including grand larceny, for the alleged conduct at Camelot Funeral Home.
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The director accused of operating a Mount Vernon funeral home without a license is now facing more serious charges.
The 20-count indictment against Michael Naughton, of Baldwin, was unsealed in Westchester County Court on Wednesday.
The indictment accuses Naughton of illegally providing funeral services for dozens of people at Camelot Funeral Home after his license was revoked.
Naughton was charged with several felonies, including grand larceny, for the alleged conduct that the state attorney general's office says impacted multiple mourning families.
Aloma Washington, who says she dealt with Naughton, reacted to the upgraded charges. She's been attending Naughton's court appearances since he initially faced a misdemeanor charge in Mount Vernon City Court.
"I feel a little bit more comfortable with that, and that it's moving. I'm hoping that it's counting more families, and not just one, cause all those bodies mattered," Washington says.
The indictment also accuses Naughton of forging a document used to authorize the transfer of a deceased individual. He's also charged with one count of scheming to defraud.
Washington's loved one, Phillip Boice, says the financial loss also took a toll on his family.
"That was hurtful to pay the money and to find out weeks later that your people ain't even being buried," Boice says.
Naughton's attorneys had no comment.
If convicted of the top charge, Naughton faces up to seven years in prison.
In the meantime, Attorney General Letitia James is urging affected families to contact her office.
James is also reminding residents to verify a funeral director's license before making arrangements.
Naughton is due back in court on April 8.
