WV Cemetery Owner Plundered Grieving Families

Fayetteville, WV – Jeffrey Phares, 65, traded on grief, lining his pockets with money meant for headstones honoring the dead. The owner of four North Central West Virginia cemeteries has confessed to a massive wire fraud scheme that bilked mourning families out of an estimated $250,000 to $550,000. Phares pleaded guilty this week, facing up to two decades behind bars.

The scheme unfolded across four cemeteries under Phares’ control: Greenlawn Memorial Park in New Martinsville, Elkins Memorial Gardens in Elkins, Greenlawn Memorial Cemetery in Clarksburg, and Forest Lawn Memorial Gardens in Jane Lew. For years, Phares accepted payments from customers for grave markers, often after obtaining final design approvals. But the stones never materialized. Instead of ordering the markers, Phares allegedly diverted the funds for personal use, leaving families in limbo and adding financial insult to emotional injury.

Victims report that Phares spun a web of excuses, blaming manufacturing delays, supply chain issues, and even logistical problems. He kept families dangling, promising delivery dates that never came, all while knowing he had no intention of fulfilling the orders. The feds allege this wasn’t a case of mismanagement, but a deliberate and calculated effort to defraud grieving individuals at their most vulnerable.

The investigation, spearheaded by the FBI with crucial assistance from the Wetzel County Sheriff’s Office and the County Prosecuting Attorney, began to unravel after a surge of complaints. Families, increasingly frustrated and suspicious, contacted law enforcement, triggering a detailed forensic accounting of the cemetery funds. The wire fraud charge stems from Phares using electronic communications – emails, bank transfers – to facilitate the scheme across state lines, bringing the case under federal jurisdiction.

Wire fraud carries a maximum sentence of 20 years imprisonment and a $250,000 fine. However, sentencing guidelines are complex and consider factors like the amount of money stolen, the number of victims, and the defendant’s criminal history. Phares’ age and potential health concerns will also likely be considered. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jarod Douglas is prosecuting the case, and is expected to push for a substantial prison term given the protracted nature and callousness of the fraud.

As part of a plea agreement, Phares is obligated to make full restitution to his victims. The precise amount will be determined at a restitution hearing prior to sentencing. This will involve a painstaking process of identifying each defrauded family and calculating the funds they are owed. While restitution may offer some measure of relief, it won’t erase the pain of being exploited during a time of profound loss. This case serves as a stark reminder of the depths to which some will sink for financial gain, preying on the vulnerable and desecrating the final resting places of loved ones.

The FBI’s involvement underscores the agency’s commitment to tackling white-collar crime, even in smaller, rural communities. “These weren’t just financial transactions; they were promises made to families during incredibly difficult times,” stated an FBI spokesperson who requested anonymity. “Mr. Phares violated that trust, and we are committed to ensuring he is held accountable.”

Legal experts note that cemetery fraud is sadly not uncommon, often involving mismanagement of pre-need burial arrangements or outright theft. The sensitive nature of the industry, coupled with the emotional vulnerability of customers, makes it ripe for exploitation. This case highlights the need for increased oversight and regulation of the funeral and cemetery industry to protect grieving families from unscrupulous operators.

Source: DOJ Press Release