JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Disturbing new details are emerging about the investigation into the Jacksonville funeral home director accused of improperly storing bodies.
In an arrest warrant, detectives said the Marion Graham Mortuaries had been without electricity since October 2023.
According to court documents, Owner and Director Elliot Graham refused multiple compliance checks before an inspection warrant was executed at the mortuary on Jan. 30.
Graham is facing felony charges of false and fraudulent insurance claims and grand theft along with five misdemeanor counts of improper preservation of a human body.
The warrant says law enforcement found three bodies "infested" with insects inside bags at his business on Gandy St.
Former federal prosecutor Curtis Fallgatter said this horrendous crime takes fraud to a whole new level.
"This is so despicable and personal because the fraud involves not just the theft of money,” Fallgatter said, “but you really have stolen the memories and the time for respect for loved ones when they've lost another loved one."
Ola Mae Brown Jackson's family spoke with First Coast News last Thursday after they found out her body was one found in the funeral home.
"She was for justice, and she would go to bat for you 100%, and she would expect us to stand up for her. Fight for her rights," her family members said in a press conference.
They're one of several families that didn't get the services they paid Graham for, according to police.
Fallgatter said he believes a judge will impose harsh penalties on Graham if he's convicted, but the families may have a hard time getting their money back.
"If he can't afford his electricity, he probably doesn't have any money to pay restitution,” Fallgatter said. “They'll be entitled to a judgment of restitution, but the chance of them collecting, unfortunately, are probably pretty slim."
A spokesperson for the Department of Financial Services said they're working with the State Attorney's office to compile an incident report.
When it's finalized, the department will present its findings to the Funeral and Cemetery Board for a hearing to permanently revoke the mortuary's license.
Graham is in the Duval County Jail. A judge denied him bond Thursday.
He'll be in court again at 9 a.m. on Feb. 29.