Topline: Authorities said couples paid between $40,000 and $50,000 for full-service wedding packages, believing their payments covered the venue, catering, and other essentials. They soon learned Jason Lottmann had taken their money and failed to book or pay for any services.
Published: January 31, 2025 9:00 am ET
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Jason Lottmann (via Union County Sheriff's Office)
MONROE, NC — A North Carolina businessowner is in jail after police say he defrauded couples out of hundreds of thousands of dollars with his wedding venue.
In late December 2024, detectives began investigating multiple reports of fraud involving Champagne Manor, a wedding venue in Monroe, North Carolina, and its owner, Jason Lottmann.
The investigation revealed a scheme in which Lottmann defrauded engaged couples and investors out of hundreds of thousands of dollars, according to a Union County Sheriff’s Office news release.
Authorities said couples paid between $40,000 and $50,000 for full-service wedding packages, believing their payments covered the venue, catering, and other essentials. As their wedding dates approached, they received calls from vendors demanding payment for services they assumed were covered. When they contacted Lottmann, they learned he had taken their money and failed to book or pay for any services, leaving them in a financial crisis while trying to salvage their wedding days.
At the same time, Lottmann also ran an investment scheme called the “Partner Program,” soliciting large sums under the pretense of funding venue upgrades. He promised significant returns but failed to disclose that the property was already in foreclosure, making repayment impossible, according to police.
Detectives discovered Lottmann was still taking deposits from new victims and selling items purchased with stolen funds on Facebook Marketplace. To stop his scheme, detectives arranged to meet him at a local storage facility yesterday under the guise of purchasing fraudulently obtained items.
Instead of making a sale, Lottmann was arrested and now faces numerous felony charges. He is currently being held at the Union County Detention Center under a $1,000,000 secured bond.
This case remains active, and additional criminal charges are likely.
Anyone who may have been victimized by Lottmann or who has information related to these cases is urged to contact the UCSO Main Office at 704-283-3789.
Presumption of Innocence: A presumption of innocence means that any defendant in a criminal trial is presumed to be innocent until they have been proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. The defendant in this case is only accused of the charges set forth in the criminal complaint. They are innocent until proven guilty.
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Wedding Venue Owner Accused of Scamming Couples, Investors Out of Hundreds of Thousands
Authorities said couples paid between $40,000 and $50,000 for full-service wedding packages, believing their payments covered the venue, catering, and other essentials. They soon learned Jason Lottmann had taken their money and failed to book or pay for any services.
By Jacob Charles
Published: January 31, 2025 9:00 am ET
Jason Lottmann (via Union County Sheriff's Office)
MONROE, NC — A North Carolina businessowner is in jail after police say he defrauded couples out of hundreds of thousands of dollars with his wedding venue.
In late December 2024, detectives began investigating multiple reports of fraud involving Champagne Manor, a wedding venue in Monroe, North Carolina, and its owner, Jason Lottmann.
The investigation revealed a scheme in which Lottmann defrauded engaged couples and investors out of hundreds of thousands of dollars, according to a Union County Sheriff’s Office news release.
Authorities said couples paid between $40,000 and $50,000 for full-service wedding packages, believing their payments covered the venue, catering, and other essentials. As their wedding dates approached, they received calls from vendors demanding payment for services they assumed were covered. When they contacted Lottmann, they learned he had taken their money and failed to book or pay for any services, leaving them in a financial crisis while trying to salvage their wedding days.
At the same time, Lottmann also ran an investment scheme called the “Partner Program,” soliciting large sums under the pretense of funding venue upgrades. He promised significant returns but failed to disclose that the property was already in foreclosure, making repayment impossible, according to police.
Detectives discovered Lottmann was still taking deposits from new victims and selling items purchased with stolen funds on Facebook Marketplace. To stop his scheme, detectives arranged to meet him at a local storage facility yesterday under the guise of purchasing fraudulently obtained items.
Instead of making a sale, Lottmann was arrested and now faces numerous felony charges. He is currently being held at the Union County Detention Center under a $1,000,000 secured bond.
This case remains active, and additional criminal charges are likely.
Anyone who may have been victimized by Lottmann or who has information related to these cases is urged to contact the UCSO Main Office at 704-283-3789.
Presumption of Innocence: A presumption of innocence means that any defendant in a criminal trial is presumed to be innocent until they have been proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. The defendant in this case is only accused of the charges set forth in the criminal complaint. They are innocent until proven guilty.
Editor's Note: ThePo makes every effort to accurately transcribe the contents of affidavits of probable cause contained in criminal complaints. Often, the complaints themselves are copies of copies of faxed copies, and are difficult to read. To confirm the accuracy of our transcription, contact the Magisterial District Court listed above and request a copy of the criminal complaint. It's a public record to which you are entitled.
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Wedding Venue Owner Accused of Scamming Couples, Investors Out of Hundreds of Thousands
Authorities said couples paid between $40,000 and $50,000 for full-service wedding packages, believing their payments covered the venue, catering, and other essentials. They soon learned Jason Lottmann had taken their money and failed to book or pay for any services.
By Jacob Charles
Published: January 31, 2025 9:00 am ET
Jason Lottmann (via Union County Sheriff's Office)
MONROE, NC — A North Carolina businessowner is in jail after police say he defrauded couples out of hundreds of thousands of dollars with his wedding venue.
In late December 2024, detectives began investigating multiple reports of fraud involving Champagne Manor, a wedding venue in Monroe, North Carolina, and its owner, Jason Lottmann.
The investigation revealed a scheme in which Lottmann defrauded engaged couples and investors out of hundreds of thousands of dollars, according to a Union County Sheriff’s Office news release.
Authorities said couples paid between $40,000 and $50,000 for full-service wedding packages, believing their payments covered the venue, catering, and other essentials. As their wedding dates approached, they received calls from vendors demanding payment for services they assumed were covered. When they contacted Lottmann, they learned he had taken their money and failed to book or pay for any services, leaving them in a financial crisis while trying to salvage their wedding days.
At the same time, Lottmann also ran an investment scheme called the “Partner Program,” soliciting large sums under the pretense of funding venue upgrades. He promised significant returns but failed to disclose that the property was already in foreclosure, making repayment impossible, according to police.
Detectives discovered Lottmann was still taking deposits from new victims and selling items purchased with stolen funds on Facebook Marketplace. To stop his scheme, detectives arranged to meet him at a local storage facility yesterday under the guise of purchasing fraudulently obtained items.
Instead of making a sale, Lottmann was arrested and now faces numerous felony charges. He is currently being held at the Union County Detention Center under a $1,000,000 secured bond.
This case remains active, and additional criminal charges are likely.
Anyone who may have been victimized by Lottmann or who has information related to these cases is urged to contact the UCSO Main Office at 704-283-3789.
Presumption of Innocence: A presumption of innocence means that any defendant in a criminal trial is presumed to be innocent until they have been proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. The defendant in this case is only accused of the charges set forth in the criminal complaint. They are innocent until proven guilty.
Editor's Note: ThePo makes every effort to accurately transcribe the contents of affidavits of probable cause contained in criminal complaints. Often, the complaints themselves are copies of copies of faxed copies, and are difficult to read. To confirm the accuracy of our transcription, contact the Magisterial District Court listed above and request a copy of the criminal complaint. It's a public record to which you are entitled.
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