A federal jury in Salt Lake City has convicted a group of Noah's Event Centers owners and executives after a five-week trial that prosecutors say peeled back a nationwide investment scam hiding in plain sight. Jurors heard how the business pitched investors, many through 1031 exchange deals, on buying fractional stakes in planned event venues and promised steady returns that never showed up, leaving investors holding the bag. The verdict follows years of civil and criminal scrutiny and clears the path for sentencing and potential restitution.
According to a press release from the U.S. Attorney's Office for the District of Utah, the jury found Christopher J. Ashby, 52, Jordan S. Nelson, 45, and Scott W. Beynon, 49, guilty on all charged counts. That includes 17 counts of wire fraud and one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud, all tied to what prosecutors say was a scheme that siphoned more than $30,000,000 from investors across the country.
Three other codefendants had already flipped before trial. Founder William J. Bowser pleaded guilty on April 16; John D. Hamrick entered a guilty plea on Jan. 21; and Scott L. Rutherford pleaded guilty on June 9, 2025, as reported by ABC4 Utah. Those quiet courtroom moments came on the heels of bankruptcy filings, civil lawsuits, and years of investor complaints that helped draw in federal investigators.
How the scheme worked
Prosecutors and earlier reporting say the sales machine behind Noah's relied on a network of sales teams, real-estate brokers, and 1031 exchange specialists who pitched fractional "tenant-in-common" interests in planned venues, according to KSL. Glossy brochures showed polished, fully built event spaces and touted reliable rental returns. Investors were told their money would be funneled into construction and that their cash would be protected while buildings went up. Trial evidence, however, showed large chunks of investor funds were instead diverted to commissions and other expenses rather than construction.
Unbuilt sites and next steps
At trial, prosecutors walked jurors through satellite images of bare dirt and empty lots in Dublin, Independence, and Toledo, Ohio, as well as Jacksonville, Florida, and Carmel, Indiana. According to the U.S. Attorney's Office for the District of Utah, investors had been assured that those properties would soon house fully functioning Noah's event centers.
Sentencing is expected in the coming months before a U.S. District Court judge at the Orrin G. Hatch U.S. Courthouse in downtown Salt Lake City. The case was investigated by the United States Postal Inspection Service, according to the same release.
Legal implications
The defendants were convicted of wire fraud and conspiracy to commit wire fraud, federal offenses that can carry maximum prison terms of up to 20 years per count under federal law, according to 18 U.S.C. § 1343 (see also § 1349). When it comes time for sentencing, judges typically weigh factors such as the total loss amount, each defendant's role in the scheme, and any prior criminal history in deciding fines, restitution, and how long each person will actually serve.
Victims and others watching the case can track court filings and contact information through the U.S. Attorney's Office. This story will be updated as sentencing dates are set and additional documents surface.
