ASHEVILLE – A well-known short-term vacation rental owner has pleaded guilty to more than $3.5 million in federal bank fraud during a hearing in which the judge raised issues with how he answered some questions.
Shawn Thomas Johnson, a once-celebrated local handyman, entrepreneur and owner of short-term rentals, often called “Airbnbs” after the online platform, made the plea March 25 in U.S. District Court in Asheville.
U.S. Magistrate Judge W. Carleton Metcalf set a $25,000 unsecured bond, allowing Johnson, 36, to remain free while awaiting sentencing, which could be in six months, according to current case trends.
Metcalf ordered Johnson while awaiting sentencing to avoid contact with victims and witnesses and to not to sell or buy real estate, directly or through others.
Previous reporting:Asheville Airbnb real estate broker’s license revoked; kept property owners’ money
Prior to his plea Johnson waived the right for his case to go before a grand jury. While answering questions about whether he agreed with the facts as laid out by Assistant U.S. Attorney Don Gast — that Johnson lied to banks about how much he made, fabricated pay stubs and said loans would be used for primary residences when instead they were used as short-term rentals — Johnson said he did not have an issue with the facts “at this time.”
Metcalf responded, “I’m not sure what that means” and asked again if Johnson agreed the facts as stated, to which Johnson said yes.
When Metcalf asked Johnson if…
