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Former wedding venue owner admits to stealing more than $1 million from couples
By Makayla Evans, Jordan Gartner at KGNS — Sitewide
· July 9, 2026
· 2 min read
MONROE, N.C. (WMBF/Gray News) - Authorities say the former owner of a popular wedding venue admitted to stealing over a million dollars.Jason Lottman, the ex-owner of Champagne Manor, pleaded guilty to federal wire fraud Monday while admitting to taking money from couples and vendors who booked e...
Key takeaway Myrtle Beach couple Travis and Rachael Marshall said they were among those who lost nearly $20,000 to Lottman in his $1 million scheme.
Why this matters in Laredo News
The case of Jason Lottman, who admitted to stealing over $1 million from couples, serves as a cautionary tale for Laredo residents planning their own weddings. While this incident occurred in North Carolina, it highlights the importance of thoroughly researching and vetting local wedding venues and services to avoid similar financial losses. In Webb County, where Laredo is located, couples often invest significant amounts of money in their weddings, making them vulnerable to fraudulent schemes. The experience of Travis and Rachael Marshall, who lost nearly $20,000, demonstrates the financial and emotional distress that can result from such scams. As the wedding season approaches in Laredo, local couples should be vigilant and take steps to protect themselves, such as checking for venues' licenses and certifications, reading reviews, and being wary of unusually good deals or investment opportunities.
About this story
Original reporting by KGNS — Sitewide . Laredo News surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
For the complete original report, visit KGNS — Sitewide . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: library ·
Published: July 9, 2026 ·
Source: KGNS — Sitewide ·
Reading time: 2 min
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Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? MONROE, N.C. (WMBF/Gray News) - Authorities say the former owner of a popular wedding venue admitted to stealing over a million dollars.Jason Lottman, the ex-owner of Champagne Manor, pleaded guilty to federal wire fraud Monday while admitting to taking money from couples and vendors who booked e...
When was this published? This article was first published on July 9, 2026 by KGNS — Sitewide and curated for Laredo News readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Makayla Evans, Jordan Gartner at KGNS — Sitewide. To learn more about how Laredo News selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more library coverage from Laredo News, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
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