North Carolina Wedding Venue Owner Arrested for Alleged Fraud Against Engaged Couples
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():format(jpeg)/jason-lottmann-mugshot-013025-7b8707cbc2494b719b74e64650df1faa.jpg)
A wedding venue owner in North Carolina has recently been arrested for defrauding several engaged couples, leaving them out of pocket by what police estimate to be “hundreds of thousands of dollars.” The accused, Jason Lottmann, 41, who owns the local wedding venue Champagne Manor in Monroe, N.C., is facing numerous felony charges in connection with the elaborate fraud scheme, according to the Union County Sheriff’s Office (USCO).
The investigation was triggered by multiple reports from couples who had paid substantial sums ranging between $40,000 and $50,000 to the venue for comprehensive wedding packages with services including catering and other wedding essentials. As the wedding day approached, these couples were shocked to receive demands for payment from vendors who claimed that their services had not been paid for as expected. This left the couples in a financial crisis, struggling to salvage their special day.
Additionally, detectives uncovered that Lottmann had allegedly deceived both engaged couples and investors in what they called the “Partner Program.” Under this purported scheme, Lottmann reportedly obtained large amounts of money under false pretenses of upgrading the venue, promising high returns without disclosing that the property was already in foreclosure, making repayment impossible.
Law enforcement officers went on to reveal that Lottman had been taking deposits and allegedly selling items purchased with stolen funds on Facebook Marketplace. In a bid to catch him in the act, investigators set up a sting operation at a local storage facility where Lottman was eventually apprehended and taken into custody.
Following his arrest, Lottman is now being held at the Union County Detention Center on a $1 million secured bond, with authorities indicating the likelihood of additional criminal charges being pressed against him. His court appearance is scheduled for February 27. Prior to his arrest, Mark Yarotskiy, one of the victims, expressed to WCNC-TV the loss incurred after booking Champagne Manor, stating, “He was lying to our face. No one is able to reach him anymore. We are out of money and time.”
Authorities are urging anyone who believes they may have been defrauded by Lottman or possesses relevant information on the case to contact the UCSO Main Office at (704) 283-3789. The impact of such deceitful acts not only affects the couples financially but also casts a shadow over the sanctity of such special occasions.
The unfolding of events in this case serves as a cautionary tale for engaged couples and investors alike to conduct thorough due diligence when engaging with wedding venues or investment opportunities. Transparency and verification of credentials are paramount to avoid falling victim to fraudulent schemes, ensuring a seamless and memorable experience for all involved.
As authorities delve deeper into the matter, the community awaits further developments in the legal proceedings against Lottman. This incident underscores the importance of vigilance and awareness in navigating transactions involving significant financial investments, especially in the realms of weddings, where trust and reliability are essential pillars in creating lasting memories.
In conclusion, the repercussions of such deceitful actions not only impact the financial well-being of the victims but also tarnish the trust and integrity of businesses within the wedding industry. The need for stringent oversight and accountability in such transactions is imperative to safeguard the interests of all parties involved and uphold the sanctity of these cherished life milestones.