Story by Ethan
On April 1st, 2026, the arrest of Michael Naughton, age 55, was announced by New York Attorney General Letita James. Michael Naughton was charged with first-degree Scheme to Defraud, second-degree Criminal Possession of a Forged Instrument, three counts of third-degree Grand Larceny, third-degree Attempted Grand Larceny, five counts of fourth-degree Grand Larceny, and nine counts of Unlicensed Practice of Funeral Directing as a misdemeanor. The arrest and charges against Michael Naughton were a result of an investigation handled by Detective Investigators Frank Tirri and Jennifer Garcia of the Investigations Bureau, Deputy Chief Juanita Bright, Assistant Chief Samuel Scotellaro, and Detective Supervisor Anna Ospanova of the Major Investigations Unit.
According to the New York Attorney General’s Office, Michael Naughton had previously worked as a funeral director before his license was revoked by DOH’s Bureau of Funeral Directing in 2019. Several years later an unannounced inspection took place at Camelot Funeral Home on January 30th, 2026. During the inspection a total of 13 different bodies, with varying states of decomposition, were found throughout the premises. Six bodies were located in the chapels and three bodies were found in the detached garage, two of which were stacked on top of one another. In addition to the scattered bodies, 17 boxes of cremated remains were discovered in the basement of the facility. Following the inspection an emergency order to cease operations was issued by State Health Commissioner McDonald that also demanded Camelot Funeral Home to turn over any documentation related to any human remains and bodies in their custody, and comply with local and state law enforcement during the process of handling the disposition of the discovered remains.
The New York Attorney General’s Office stated that the charges against Michael Naughton are merely accusations, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
