Oct 24, 2006 By Patty Yauger 1 min read

FRANKLIN TWP. – A Perryopolis notary faces a November preliminary hearing after she allegedly notarized a document without proper identification and failed to keep records while employed at a car dealership. Mary Jane Gardner, 61, is charged with a single felony count of forgery, 143 summary counts of failing to document receipts and 122 summary counts of failing to keep proper copies of required paperwork while employed as a notary by Melvin’s Service Station.

According to the criminal complaint filed by state police with the office of Magisterial District Judge Dwight Shaner, Gardner allegedly notarized a document for an unidentified person that gave ownership of a vehicle to an individual not named on the car’s title.

An investigation was launched when the car’s owner notified police.

According to officers, a review of Gardner’s records allegedly revealed that a required log book had not been completed, motor vehicle forms were not in proper order or kept in a locked file drawer or cabinet, no proof of identification was attached to forms as required and no receipts of transactions for purchases were included in the files.

A Nov. 14 preliminary hearing has been scheduled before Shaner.

Gardner remains free on a $5,000 unsecured bond.