Former NC wedding venue owner stole over $1M from couples and investors
The Scandal Behind a Glamorous Wedding Venue
A former owner of a high-profile wedding venue in North Carolina has admitted to stealing over $1 million from couples and investors, marking one of the most shocking financial fraud cases in recent years. Jason Lottman, 43, who once managed the popular Champagne Manor in Monroe, a city about 25 miles from Charlotte, pleaded guilty to wire fraud on July 6. According to Russ Ferguson, the U.S. Attorney for the Western District of North Carolina, Lottman's scheme ran from October 2023 until January 2025.
Lottman lured investors with promises of guaranteed returns, ownership interests, and other incentives. He made false statements to secure funding, according to Ferguson. Additionally, he marketed all-inclusive wedding packages that required customers to pay upfront for florists, DJs, caterers, photographers, and hair and makeup artists. Lottman claimed he would either pay the vendors directly or reimburse customers who opted for their own vendors.
However, these promises were not kept. Ferguson stated that Lottman failed to pay the vendors, leaving customers to repay for services they had already paid for through the now-former wedding venue owner.
A Couple’s Financial Loss
Travis and Rachael Marshall, a couple from Myrtle Beach, shared their experience with WMBF News, revealing that Lottman’s actions cost them nearly $20,000. In January 2025, they were informed that Champagne Manor had abruptly closed just four months before their planned wedding.
“Having all that money we saved for years and years for that special event, all of a sudden gone, it made us have to stretch things a little thin,” Travis said. “We weren’t able to get the things we allocated other resources to, whether it be repairs or saving up for a house.”
He added, “A lot of stuff just had to be pushed to the back burner.”
Foreclosure and Continued Fraud
Foreclosure proceedings at Champagne Manor began in mid-2024 when the venue defaulted on its mortgage. Despite knowing that the venue would eventually shut down, Lottman continued to collect payments from customers and investors. At the same time, he concealed the venue’s dire financial situation.
Lottman also claimed that the venue was in the process of acquiring a glass ballroom that would serve as collateral for certain investment programs, even though the ballroom was never purchased, according to Ferguson.
Promises That Never Materialized
Investment-style programs and promotional discounts that promised future repayments or refunds that could not be fulfilled were also offered by Lottman. He suggested that payments would be received by certain dates. Once those dates passed, Lottman would misrepresent the reason for the delay in payments.
Lottman’s sentencing for the wire fraud charge will be determined by the court, with a sentencing date not yet set. The maximum penalty for this charge is 20 years in prison.
A Mixed Reaction to Justice
Travis expressed relief that justice was served and that Lottman is being “punished” for his crime. However, he also felt sad for Lottman, stating, “I just can’t help but feel sad for him that he’s more or less thrown his life away for some elaborate scheme.”
“We forgive him and hope that when he gets to the end of this, that he’s learned a valuable lesson and that hopefully he can still be able to salvage and make something productive of his life,” he added.
Travis revealed that the couple was able to recover some of the money they lost through credit card disputes. They also found a new wedding venue for the same month they originally planned to marry.
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