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 his involvement in multiple fraud schemes. The sentencing was announced by Russ Ferguson, U.S. Attorney for the Western District of North Carolina.
According to court documents, Haigler began soliciting investments from friends and acquaintances in February 2019. He claimed their money would be used for real estate transactions with promised fixed returns by certain dates. Instead, most funds were not used as described; Haigler spent significant amounts on personal expenses or repaid earlier investors. To hide the scheme, he made false statements when questioned by those who had invested.
In July 2019, Haigler also embezzled funds from a church where he served as Treasurer. After the pastor’s death left him as the sole signatory on church bank accounts, Haigler wrote dozens of checks and made cash withdrawals totaling more than $389,000 between 2019 and 2021. One check alone amounted to $160,000 payable to himself; most of that sum went toward paying an investor.
In April 2021, Haigler applied through the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) online portal for a $311,000 Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) using the church’s name without its knowledge or consent. Once approved and deposited into the church account, he transferred $300,000 into his personal account. Losses from these activities 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 once assigned a facility.
U.S. Attorney Russ Ferguson stated: “Haigler exploited friends, stole from his church, and defrauded a federal relief program meant to provide economic assistance during a national crisis,” adding: “This rampant fraud must be stopped, and my office is committed to investigating and prosecuting those that take advantage of others.”
The case was investigated by both the SBA and the U.S. Secret Service and prosecuted by Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Eric Frick in Charlotte.
