The owner of a Union County wedding venue is facing charges after allegedly scamming couples and investors, authorities have reported. Jason Lottmann, who ran Champagne Manor, is accused of defrauding customers by not providing services they had paid for and running an investment scheme under false pretenses, the Union County Sheriff's Office stated.
Engaged couples were charged between $40,000 and $50,000 for wedding packages that they believed included everything they needed for their special day. However, as the wedding dates drew close, many realized that the services had not been booked or paid for. "He was lying to our face," one of the victims, Mark Yarotskiy, told WCNC Charlotte. "No one is able to reach him anymore. We are out of money and time."
In addition to wedding fraud, Lottmann allegedly created a "Partner Program," where he sought investments for purported venue improvements. However, the Union County Sheriff's Office revealed that Lottmann failed to mention that Champagne Manor was in foreclosure, which would have made any promised returns on investments highly unlikely. The investigation started in late December 2024 after detectives received multiple fraud reports according to WSOCTV.
To apprehend Lottmann, detectives set up a meeting under the pretense of purchasing items he had listed for sale, items that were bought with stolen funds. This sting led to his arrest at a local storage facility. "Officials said that they contacted Lottman to meet them at a local storage facility on Tuesday, Jan. 29 under the guise that they wanted to purchase fraudulently obtained items," WBTV reported. Lottmann is currently being held at the Union County Detention Center under a $1 million secured bond.
In light of these unfortunate events, Emerald Lake Golf Club in Matthews has stepped up to assist the affected couples by offering discounts on weddings for the 2025 season. Kailey Gott, a representative for the club, expressed compassion for the couples’ plight. "For people to lose all that money, and all that time, it's honestly so sad," Gott said to WCNC Charlotte. "I want to help people and see them thrive for their special day."
The case remains active and additional charges are likely. The Union County Sheriff's Office urges anyone with information or those who believe they may have been victimized to contact them at (704) 283-3789.
