An attorney from Cornelia is facing multiple felony charges following a months-long investigation by the Georgia Bureau of Investigation.
Agents arrested 46-year-old Paul Jason “Jake” York on August 4 and charged him with 10 counts of first-degree forgery, four counts of identity fraud, two counts of unauthorized practice of law, and two counts of theft by deception.
The charges stem from a February 18 request by the Mountain Judicial Circuit District Attorney’s Office for the GBI to investigate a suspected forgery case in Habersham County involving York. According to the GBI, investigators determined York had forged and created fraudulent court documents.
York was booked into the Habersham County Jail. He was previously jailed on similar charges in 2020. In that investigation, York admitted to forging the signatures of Mountain Judicial Circuit Assistant District Attorney Meredith Davis and then—Superior Court Judge Chan Caudell. He was charged with two counts of first-degree forgery and knowingly filing false documents in that case.
Although the GBI referred to York as a “former” attorney, records show he still has his law license. The State Bar of Georgia lists him as a member in “good standing” on its website.
York was under a pre-trial diversion agreement prohibiting him from practicing law when the latest alleged violations occurred. The newest investigation remains active. Once it is complete, the case will be turned over to the Mountain Judicial Circuit District Attorney’s Office for prosecution.
This article has been updated with additional information
