NEWARK, N.J. – A former New Jersey funeral director has been sentenced to five years in prison for his role in a ring that illegally harvested body parts for resale.
Stephen Finley had pleaded guilty in February to desecrating human remains. Prosecutors say he and former Fort Lee oral surgeon Michael Mastromarino allowed the removal of body parts from about 40 corpses without getting permission from next of kin.
Finley allegedly received $1,000 per body.
Mastromarino, considered the mastermind of the scheme, is serving an 18- to 54-year prison sentence.
A state Superior Court judge said Monday the state can bring more charges against Finley for continuing to work as a mortician after his license was revoked.
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