BOSTON – A former Boston funeral director accused of stealing from clients has been indicted on new charges alleging he stored a dozen decomposed bodies, stole almost $150,000 in funeral pre-payments and acted without a license in more than 200 funerals and cremations.
Boston prosecutors announced the 278-count indictment Wednesday against 56-year-old Joseph O'Donnell.
O'Donnell has been held since he pleaded not guilty to larceny in April. The bodies were found in a self-storage facility in July, and officials said then more charges were expected.
The new charges include improper disposal of human remains, embezzlement, larceny, forgery, falsifying official documents and acting as a funeral director without a license. Prosecutors say O'Donnell's license expired in 2009, and he continued doing business until 2013.
His attorney didn't return a message seeking comment Wednesday.
