TOP STORIES OF 2024: Jeffrey Morris Sentenced to Five Years in Federal Prison

Jeffrey Morris exits the federal courthouse in Wheeling in September after being sentenced on charges of wire fraud and tax evasion. (File Photo)
WHEELING — The legal troubles of Roxby Development head Jeffrey Morris came to a head in September when he was sentenced to five years in federal prison for wire fraud and willful failure to pay over taxes.
“Five years — that sends a strong message for someone who had no criminal history,” William Ihlenfeld, U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of West Virginia said following the verdict. “The way federal criminal sentencing is determined is based on defense level, and criminal history.
“You don’t often see … white collar sentences that reach the five year mark, and we’re very pleased with it. We think it sends a strong message.”
Morris’ federal trial originally was scheduled for the end of 2023, but was continued until April. Yet Morris decided to plead guilty to two of the 28 federal counts he had faced.
Those charges stemmed from a federal investigation into his business practices as owner of the McLure Hotel and the Scottish Rite Cathedral. From December 2019 to June 2021, Morris obtained money and property by means of “materially false and fraudulent pretenses and promises,” according to the Feb. 7 plea agreement.
The companies owned by Roxby — The Monastery, Roxby Development and Roxby McLure — were funded primarily through investment loans totaling approximately $6.9 million from at least 20 investors.
At the February plea hearing, it was explained that Morris forged the signatures of Scottish Rite tenants to make investors believe the building had good tax flow, as well as failed to pay the IRS payroll taxes withheld from his employees. Morris admitted to both during the hearing.
At his sentencing, Morris said his intentions were pure, but when he added the McLure to his portfolio of properties, the burden became too much.
“It just turned out badly for myself and my family,” Morris said. “I deeply tried to make the right decisions and meant to do good, but it just went south. I take full responsibility for my execution.”
Several people addressed the court on Morris’ behalf during his sentencing, but in the end, District Judge John Preston Bailey of the U.S District Court for the Northern District of West Virginia ruled he would serve the higher end of his possible sentence. The charges carried a maximum sentence of 6½ years.
Both the Scottish Rite Cathedral and McLure Hotel had reverted back to their previous owners via credit bids at their respective foreclosure auctions. The Scottish Rite Cathedral has been holding events at its property since taking back the cathedral. A Robert Burns Supper is scheduled for January 25. McLure owner Frances Garey is in talks with Arkansas hotel financier Josef France to purchase the hotel, though it had been condemned by the City of Wheeling and the Wheeling-Ohio County Health Department for numerous code violations.
Morris is currently serving his sentence in a federal correctional facility in Lewisburg, Pennsylvania.