Grave Robbery: WV Cemetery Owner Admits Fraud

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WHEELING, WV – Jeffrey Phares, 65, wasn’t laying loved ones to rest. He was robbing the grieving. The Fayetteville man, who ran four cemeteries across North Central West Virginia – Greenlawn Memorial Park (New Martinsville), Elkins Memorial Gardens, Greenlawn Memorial Cemetery (Clarksburg), and Forest Lawn Memorial Gardens (Jane Lew) – pleaded guilty to wire fraud this week.

Federal prosecutors say Phares took cash upfront from families for custom grave markers, got their approvals on the designs, then simply pocketed the money. Instead of ordering the stones, he used the funds for personal expenses. When families followed up, Phares repeatedly strung them along with lies about delays.

The scam ran for an unknown period, but the estimated loss to victims is a staggering $250,000 to $550,000. Phares has agreed to pay full restitution, and investigators are now digging through his finances to determine the exact amount owed.

If the judge follows sentencing guidelines, Phares could spend up to 20 years in federal prison. The FBI, Wetzel County Sheriff’s Office and Prosecuting Attorney’s Office all contributed to the investigation.