Brian Shane Haigler, a 43-year-old resident of Mint Hill, North Carolina, was sentenced to 33 months in prison and two years of supervised release for engaging in a series of fraud schemes. The announcement was made by Russ Ferguson, U.S. Attorney for the Western District of North Carolina.
“Haigler exploited friends, stole from his church, and defrauded a federal relief program meant to provide economic assistance during a national crisis,” said U.S. Attorney Russ Ferguson. “This rampant fraud must be stopped, and my office is committed to investigating and prosecuting those that take advantage of others.”
Court documents indicate that starting around February 2019, Haigler solicited investments from friends and acquaintances under the pretense of funding real estate transactions. He assured investors their money would be used to purchase or improve properties with guaranteed returns by specific dates. However, authorities found that little or none of the funds were used for legitimate real estate activities; instead, Haigler diverted much of the money for personal use or to pay previous investors. When questioned by investors about their funds or repayment status, he provided false information to hide his actions.
In July 2019, while serving as Treasurer at a local church following the pastor’s death earlier that year, Haigler had exclusive control over the church’s bank accounts. From 2019 through 2021, he wrote 53 checks and made three cash withdrawals totaling more than $389,000 from the church account. In one case, he issued himself a check for $160,000 from church funds and used most of it to repay an investor.
Further investigation revealed that in April 2021 Haigler applied online through the Small Business Administration (SBA) for a $311,000 Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) on behalf of the church without its knowledge or consent. After loan approval and deposit into the church’s account by SBA officials (https://www.sba.gov/funding-programs/loans/covid-19-relief-options/eidl), Haigler transferred $300,000 into his personal account. The total losses linked to his embezzlement scheme are estimated between $550,000 and $1.5 million.
Haigler pleaded guilty to wire fraud on July 14, 2024. He will report to federal prison upon designation by the Federal Bureau of Prisons.
The investigation was conducted by both the SBA and U.S. Secret Service agencies. Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Eric Frick prosecuted this case.
