Uncle Nearest Premium Whiskey, a brand that pays homage to the legacy of Nathan “Nearest” Green—the first African American master distiller—is currently navigating turbulent waters. Co-founders Fawn and Keith Weaver are stepping into the spotlight to address serious allegations involving financial misconduct within their company. The Weavers have taken legal action against former Chief Financial Officer, Mike Senzaki, raising alarming accusations that could reshape the whiskey brand’s future.
According to reports from The Lynchburg Times, the Weavers, alongside Grant Sidney Inc., have filed a lawsuit in Bedford County, Tennessee. They assert that Senzaki engaged in fraudulent activities, including inflating the company’s whiskey barrel inventory—actions that reportedly led to a $24 million credit increase from their lender, Farm Credit Mid-America. This inflated financial picture poses serious questions about the overall health of the company, especially amidst a backdrop of rapid growth.
The allegations don’t stop there. The Weavers claim Senzaki abused his position, modifying invoices to misallocate funds, concealing liabilities, and engaging in other deceptive practices. They accuse him of fraud, forgery, defamation, breach of loyalty, and much more. During a crucial period for Uncle Nearest, when transparency and sound financial management were paramount, the lawsuit indicates that Senzaki manipulated the data to mask millions of dollars in vendor liabilities. This created a false sense of security regarding the company’s financial wellbeing.
In July 2025, the situation escalated further when Uncle Nearest was placed in receivership due to a lawsuit filed by Farm Credit Mid-America. The lawsuit claimed that Uncle Nearest defaulted on over $108 million in loans. As a result, a judge has appointed Tennessee attorney Phillip Young with wide-ranging authority to manage and preserve company assets, potentially preparing them for sale if necessary. Although the Weavers can continue promoting the brand, the fallout from Senzaki’s alleged actions has led to significant personal losses for them.
Fawn Weaver, who historically did not take a large salary from the business, has lost over $1 million in potential speaking engagements tied to the company’s growing reputation. Meanwhile, her husband, Keith Weaver, faces challenges of his own: $9.75 million in funding for unrelated ventures has been frozen. Notably, the lawsuit turns the spotlight on Senzaki again, claiming he leveraged Fawn’s personal equity in the company for his own gain, all while portraying the Weavers as culprits responsible for the fiscal crisis—despite their lack of involvement in personally guaranteed loans.
The Weavers are pressing for a jury trial, aiming to recover compensatory and punitive damages, along with injunctive relief that would prevent Senzaki and other unnamed defendants from transferring or hiding assets. This legal battle emphasizes not just the financial ramifications but also the personal toll these allegations are taking on the Weavers as they strive to uphold the integrity of their brand amidst chaos.
Outside of the courtroom drama, Fawn Weaver found herself at the center of another headline earlier in December. During a bottle-signing event in Georgia, she had a public confrontation with a man claiming to be her middle school classmate. Initially met with backlash, Weaver later issued a heartfelt apology, and the two managed to reconnect, even performing a skit that humorously reenacted their earlier awkward encounter. In her own words, she described their interaction: “We had a great connect over cigars and Uncle Nearest shortly after the viral video.”
Overall, the unfolding saga at Uncle Nearest not only highlights the complexities of running a growing business but also underscores the need for transparency and ethics in financial dealings. As the Weavers fight to reclaim their company’s reputation and ensure that the legacy of Nathan “Nearest” Green remains untarnished, the whiskey industry—and its consumers—are watching closely.