WHEELING, W.Va (WDTV) – UPDATE: A sentencing hearing has been set for the West Virginia cemetery owner who defrauded more than 200 customers with more than $600,000 in unlawful grave marker orders.
Jeffrey Phares, 65, of Fayetteville will be sentenced on November 10 at 10:30 a.m. in Wheeling, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office.
Phares pleaded guilty to wire fraud in March, admitting to misleading victims who placed orders for grave markers, accepting money, sending design approvals and then using the funds for his personal use.
Four cemeteries were involved in the fraud: Greenlawn Memorial Park in New Martinsville, Elkins Memorial Gardens in Elkins, Greenlawn Memorial Cemetery in Clarksburg, and Forest Lawn Memorial Gardens in Jane Lew.
As part of the plea agreement, Phares has agreed to pay restitution to the victims of his offense conduct and to provide the government with all necessary documentation to determine the restitution amount.
If you are a victim and have submitted your contract with Phares to the U.S. Attorney’s Office, the FBI, U.S. Probation, and/or the West Virginia Attorney General’s Office, your information has been received and is being reviewed as a part of the restitution process.
Phares faces up to 20 years in prison.
ORIGINAL: The owner of several cemeteries across North Central West Virginia has admitted to taking money intended for grave makers, according to the U.S. Attorney.
Jeffrey Phares, 65, of Fayetteville, pleaded guilty to wire fraud, according to official reports.
Phares owned and operated four cemeteries, including Elkins Memorial Gardens in Elkins, Greenlawn Memorial Cemetery in Clarksburg, Forest Lawn Memorial Gardens in Jane Lew and Greenlawn Memorial Park in New Martinsville.
Officials say Phares defrauded customers by accepting payments and design approvals for grave markers, then using the funds for personal use. Phares misled victims regarding delivery delays, resulting in an estimated loss between $250,000 and $550,000.
Multiple victims came forward in the case, including Jamie Lovejoy, who spoke to 5 News about her experience.
Lovejoy’s father is buried at Elkins Memorial Garden, and the family paid for a grave marker that it never received.
She says seeing Phares brought to justice is bittersweet.
“We’re happy that he pled guilty, and we do all want to see him have some sort of jail time and restitution. But it’s just shocking to know somebody can live in our community and just feed off of vulnerable, grieving people like that. And there are almost no words for it about how despicable and shameful that is.”
As part of the plea agreement, Phares has agreed to pay restitution to the victims and to provide the government with all necessary documentation to determine the amount, according to official reports.
Phares faces up to 20 years in prison.
Prior Coverage:
5 Investigates: Lewis County families seek answers about unkept graves
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