Charles Town Woman Sentenced for Business Document Forgery
Jefferson County Woman Could Spend a Decade Behind Bars for Forging Public Document in an Attempt to Set up a Business
The Panhandle News Network | Friday, October 24, 2025
A 53-year-old woman from Charles Town has been sentenced to up to ten years in prison after pleading guilty to forging a public document while attempting to establish an illegitimate business. Dana Marie Phillips was indicted in April after a tip from Jefferson Security Bank led to an investigation involving multiple law enforcement agencies. The investigation revealed she had been previously hired by a victim to assist with business filings, which ultimately turned fraudulent. West Virginia officials emphasized the significance of trustworthy public documents, as the forgery could affect numerous business relationships and legal claims in the community. The Panhandle News Network reports on this troubling case and its implications for local business integrity.