U.S. Attorney Trina A. Higgins | U.S. Department of Justice
A federal grand jury in Salt Lake City has indicted two businessmen from Utah on multiple financial charges, including wire fraud and money laundering. The indictment accuses Aaron A. Wagner, 42, and Michael Mains, 46, both of Alpine, Utah, of defrauding private investors and lenders associated with restaurant ventures such as Dirty Bird, Everbowl, and Crumbl Cookies.
Wagner was initially charged on October 23, 2024. Both he and Mains were indicted on November 6, 2024. Court documents reveal that from March 2021 to the present time, Wagner and Mains allegedly executed a fraudulent scheme through Wagscap Food Services, LLC to obtain millions from lenders and investors under false pretenses.
The indictment alleges that Wagner misled investors by showcasing a luxurious lifestyle financed by funds intended for business development. These funds were reportedly diverted for personal expenses or investments unrelated to the businesses they were meant to support.
According to court records, Wagner attracted over $40 million through this scheme. He and Mains allegedly used part of these funds for personal purchases such as a $4 million home in Scottsdale, Arizona; an $8 million airplane; a $4.5 million commercial property planned for development into a nightclub; and an $8 million real estate property in Missoula, Montana.
Both men face charges of wire fraud, conspiracy to commit wire fraud, transactional money laundering, and concealment money laundering. Their initial court appearance took place on November 8 at the Orrin G. Hatch United States District Courthouse in Salt Lake City. A jury trial is scheduled for February 3 next year.
United States Attorney Trina A. Higgins announced the case details which are being investigated by the FBI Salt Lake City Field Office with Assistant U.S. Attorneys Carl D. LeSueur and Brent L. Andrus prosecuting.
Victims or individuals with information related to this alleged fraud are encouraged to contact authorities via wagnermainsfraud@fbi.gov.
It is important to note that an indictment is only an allegation at this stage; all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond reasonable doubt in court.
