Mortuary worker says he was fired

FALLS CHURCH -- A National Funeral Home employee who publicly accused the company of mishandling bodies at its Falls Church facility says he was fired for speaking to the media.

Robert Ranghelli, 20, of Manassas Park said Monday that he was told it was because he violated company policies by talking to the media and appearing with a company van in a photograph in The Washington Post.

The home is a regional embalming and storage facility for Service Corporation International. SCI officials have denied that any laws or industry standards were violated there.

An SCI spokeswoman confirmed that Ranghelli was terminated but wouldn't comment on the reason.

Ranghelli's attorney says he might file a whistleblower lawsuit.