Wedding Fraud Scheme
Former Champagne Manor Owner Admits Stealing Over $1 Million from Wedding Clients
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Jason Lottman, the former owner of Champagne Manor wedding venue in Monroe, North Carolina, pleaded guilty on July 6, 2026 to federal wire fraud. He admitted to stealing more than $1 million from roughly 30 couples and several investors, according to Fox Carolina. U.S. Attorney Russ Ferguson made the stakes clear: "In North Carolina, we don't mess with brides."
Lottman sold all-inclusive wedding packages priced between $40,000 and $50,000. Instead of paying vendors, he kept the money for himself. He kept taking deposits even after Champagne Manor defaulted on its mortgage in mid-2024, according to WITN. He now faces up to 20 years in federal prison.
How Lottman Built a $1 Million Wedding Scam
Champagne Manor was a 10,000-square-foot French-country estate about 40 miles outside Charlotte. Lottman marketed it as a stress-free, all-inclusive experience. One victim, bride Amber Wells, told reporters the pitch was irresistible: "They offered it in such a perfect package. We're going to get all of your vendors for you... it's going to be stress-free." Wells ultimately lost $33,555, according to WKYT.
Behind the scenes, Lottman never paid the caterers, florists, DJs, or photographers. He pocketed the vendor fees. When the mortgage defaulted in mid-2024, he invented a "Partner Program" for investors. He claimed the venue was buying a large glass ballroom as collateral. The ballroom did not exist, according to Hawaii News Now.
Lottman Kept Booking Couples While Facing Foreclosure
Even as foreclosure proceedings began in mid-2024, Lottman kept booking new weddings and collecting upfront payments. In early January 2025, he emailed clients to say their 2025 weddings were canceled because the venue had been foreclosed upon. Around the same time, he was evicted from his own Charlotte apartment for not paying rent, according to WBBJ TV.
He then tried to sell off venue property on Facebook Marketplace — including 600 chairs and a $50,000 gazebo. Union County Sheriff's detectives set up a sting operation. On January 28, 2025, they posed as buyers and arrested Lottman at a local storage facility. He was held on a $1 million bond, according to Alaska's News Source.
Victims Left With Anger, Debt, and Little Hope of Recovery
Bride Clara Vengoechea paid $30,000 and said the experience left her with "a lot of feelings of anger and frustration." Charlotte couple Michele Edwards and Shann Fulton lost more than $20,000. Videographer Daniel Yates is owed nearly $11,000 for work he completed. He told reporters: "I've come to the acceptance that I will never see the money from Jason," according to KAIT 8.
Victim Amber Wells put it bluntly: "We can sue the pants off him, but he's not wearing any pants." Lottman has no assets left. The court is expected to order restitution, but experts say most victims will likely never recover their money, according to WMTV 15 News.
Community Rallies as Sentencing Date Remains Unset
Local businesses stepped up to help. Emerald Lake Golf Club in Matthews, NC offered 30% to 50% discounts on 2025 weddings to any couples affected by the closure. Kailey Gott of Emerald Lake said: "For people to lose all that money and all that time, it's honestly so sad." Wedding planner Amy Haggerty urged couples to "vet their venues" and demand separate contracts for each vendor, according to 21 Alive News.
Lottman's sentencing date has not yet been set. Federal guidelines will weigh the total loss exceeding $1 million and the roughly 30 victims when determining his sentence. The maximum penalty for federal wire fraud is 20 years, according to WVVA.
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