Wyoming Cemetery Administrator Arraigned in Elaborate Burial Plot Scheme

MELROSE, MA — The Wyoming Cemetery Superintendent has been arraigned in connection with an alleged scheme to sell unused city-owned burial plots to unsuspecting buyers. John Hughes, 70, of Melrose was arraigned on five counts of larceny over $250 and receiving outside compensation by a municipal employee, according to the Middlesex County District Attorney's Office.

“These charges are extremely disturbing, as this suspect was the Superintendent of Wyoming Cemetery and allegedly plotted to take advantage of vulnerable residents during a sensitive time in their lives,” Melrose Police Chief Michael Lyle said in a statement.

According to the DA's office, Hughes allegedly began telling prospective buyers looking to buy plots for later use that they could purchase previously sold plots within the cemetery at discounted rates. Hughes then allegedly set up straw sellers for buyers to pay for the plots, and then split the funds with the straw sellers.

The DA's office says that Hughes allegedly sold 13 burial plots, diverting funds from the city and netting approximately $75,000.

In a statement on the Melrose Mayor's Blog, Mayor Robert Dolan stated he was "shocked and saddened" when he heard of the incidents.

"Let me be clear that these actions were conducted outside of any policy or procedure of the Wyoming Cemetery and the City Treasury," wrote Dolan in his statement. "As Mayor, I want to assure the citizens of Melrose that these acts were allegedly committed by a rogue individual without any funds ever passing through the City’s treasury or auditing departments."

Dolan also added that city officials have reached out to those who have been affected by the crimes, and that the city was fully cooperative in the DA's investigation.

"I also want to commend my staff and the members of the Wyoming Cemetery Committee for their tireless efforts to preserve the integrity of the cemetery, which is the most sacred land in the City," Dolan wrote."We have personally reached out to the families who were impacted by these alleged crimes. This is a very difficult time for these affected families and for all of us."

Hughes was released on personal recongnizance, and is scheduled to appear in court on Jan. 9, 2017. Hughes had served as the cemetery's administrator since 2007.