COLUMBIA, S.C. (Sept. 15, 2026) — A federal grand jury in Columbia returned a four-count indictment, presented by the U.S. Attorney’s Office, charging Lamonica “Monti” Valrie, 66, of Hollywood, Florida, for wire fraud and money laundering in a scheme that defrauded Allen University (AU), the African Methodist Episcopal (AME) Church (AU’s parent organization), and other victims of over $6 million.
The indictment alleges that Valrie devised a scheme to defraud Allen University and the AME Church through his business entity “50 Plus 1 L.L.C.” In August 2023, Valrie partnered with AU and promised to build a football stadium at no cost to AU. Valrie did not have sufficient funding sources to develop, construct, or build a stadium. In January 2024, he secured an amendment to the agreement obligating AU to pay him up to $3 million to expedite the construction of the stadium and to provide a playable field by the start of the 2024 football season. The agreement explicitly required Valrie to use the expedite fee to advance the project. Valrie secured a $500,000 lump sum from AU, plus $70,000 per month from AU to expedite the construction of the stadium. The indictment further alleges that Valrie defrauded the AME Church of approximately $154,000 in other stadium related funds. No stadium was ever built.
Instead, Valrie spent the funds on personal luxury purchases including exotic supercars, jewelry, luxury goods, a Yacht charter, and a high-end rental home in south Florida.
Valrie faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in federal prison. He was arrested in Florida and made an initial appearance in federal court in the Southern District of Florida. He will have a future court appearance in the District of South Carolina.
The case was investigated by FBI Columbia Field Office. Assistant U.S. Attorney T. DeWayne Pearson is prosecuting the case.
All charges in the indictment are merely accusations and defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
Florida Man Indicted for Defrauding Columbia HBCU of $3M in Football Stadium Scheme https://t.co/vNa50TMFMM
— Dbandman (@Dbandman2) September 19, 2026
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