The 20-count indictment, unsealed April 1 in Westchester County Court, charges Naughton with illegally providing funeral directing services for dozens of decedents at Camelot Funeral Home in Mount Vernon after his license was revoked by the New York State Department of Health in 2019. The charges include three counts of grand larceny in the third degree, five counts of grand larceny in the fourth degree, criminal possession of a forged instrument, scheme to defraud, and nine counts of unlicensed practice of funeral directing. If convicted on the top count, Naughton faces up to seven years in prison.
A January 30, 2026 inspection by the Department of Health's Bureau of Funeral Directing uncovered the shocking conditions at Camelot Funeral Home. Investigators found 13 bodies in various states of decomposition throughout the facility, including six bodies in the chapels and three in a detached garage—two of which were stacked on top of one another. An additional 17 boxes of cremated remains were recovered from the basement. "Naughton heartlessly took advantage of New Yorkers while knowingly operating his funeral home without a license and failed to take proper care of the remains in his possession," said Attorney General James.
Following the discovery, State Health Commissioner Dr. James McDonald issued an emergency order directing Camelot to cease operations immediately and cooperate with authorities to ensure proper disposition of the human remains. The Attorney General's Criminal Enforcement and Financial Crimes Bureau investigation revealed that between May 2025 and January 2026, Naughton allegedly defrauded dozens of families by claiming to be a licensed funeral director, negotiating prices, entering into contracts for funeral services, and even forging a Burial Transit Permit required for transferring deceased individuals.
This case represents a particularly egregious violation of public trust in an industry that serves families during their most vulnerable moments. "New Yorkers have the right to trust that they are receiving the funeral services they paid for and that the remains of their loved ones are being treated with the highest level of care during times of grief," said Commissioner McDonald. The investigation highlights the importance of verifying funeral director licensing through the Department of Health before making arrangements.
Multiple local officials condemned Naughton's alleged conduct in coordinated statements. "This is a deeply disturbing and heartbreaking situation that has caused unimaginable pain for countless families," said Mount Vernon Mayor Shawyn Patterson-Howard. Westchester County Executive Ken Jenkins praised the multi-agency response, while District Attorney Susan Cacace called the allegations "appalling" and pledged support for the prosecution. "The allegations in this indictment are appalling and reflect an alleged brazen scheme to defraud those in the deepest stages of grief," Cacace said.
The Attorney General's office continues working with the Westchester County Medical Examiner's Office to identify and return the recovered remains to families. Affected individuals can contact the Attorney General's office at camelot.complaint@ag.ny.gov. The case underscores the need for consumers to verify funeral director licensing and consult the Attorney General's "Funeral Services: Know Your Rights" guidance before making arrangements.
The prosecution involves multiple divisions within the Attorney General's office, including the Criminal Enforcement and Financial Crimes Bureau led by Chief Stephanie Swenton and the Investigations Bureau under Chief Investigator Oliver Pu-Folkes. The case also demonstrates effective inter-agency coordination between state health regulators, local law enforcement, and the Attorney General's criminal division in addressing complex fraud schemes targeting vulnerable populations.