Landscaper accused of throwing party at client’s home says he was allowed to be there

WEDDINGTON, N.C. – A Charlotte landscaper accused of hosting a party at a client’s home is sharing his side of the story. He says he had permission to be on the property, but deputies say the homeowners were shocked to learn there were hundreds of people at their home while they were on vacation.

Michael Brown owns Brown’s Dream Team Landscaping. In his six years in business, he’s serviced many homes including a multi-million dollar property in Union County.

“I don’t consider them customers or clients,” Brown said. “[They are] family…mother and father.”

Saturday afternoon Brown says he threw a graduation party for his son at a home on Twelve Mile Creek Road where he claims he had permission to be. He says his son’s friends conducted themselves with respect and integrity.

“Trust was already built that’s why I was able to be there,” Brown said.

Videos circulating on social media show hundreds of people who appear to be of all ages on the property.

“We charged at the door just because we wanted to ensure that if anything was broken, we could replace it, you know, so it is liability when you’re running a business,” Brown said.

Neighbors called police about the noise and traffic. Deputies showed up and shut the party down. Brown is now facing a felony and several misdemeanor charges including trespassing and breaking and entering.

“I was allowed to be there, that’s why I was able to do what I did. I just felt like my rights as person were violated,” Brown said.

Deputies say the homeowners are on vacation and were shocked to hear Brown threw a party.

“He stated he was a resident of the home, a second attempt at telling the truth, he said the home belonged to his grandparents, several attempts later he finally decided to tell the truth that he was just the lawn guy,” Lt. James Maye from Union County Sheriffs Office said. “The only authority Mr. Brown had ever been given to be on this property was to cut the grass. He didn’t sleep there, he didn’t live there, he was not related to the homeowner his job was to take care of the yard.”

Brown still believes he has a good relationship with the homeowners and looks forward to continuing to build with them.

“Nothing wrong with breaking rules. You just can’t break the law. So, I might have broke rules, but I don’t break the law,” Brown said.

Brown says he wanted to give kids a safe space to have fun and celebrate their achievements. He says there was no underage drinking, even though deputies say they found multiple empty alcohol bottles.
“I want people to know that I was allowed to be there and I did nothing wrong. I didn’t break no laws and I didn’t put no child in danger,” Brown said. “I will do it all over again because I have three more kids that are going to graduate.”

Deputies say they seized more than $3,000 cash that Brown collected at the party. The Sheriff’s office says they have been in contact with the homeowners and they gave a recorded statement clarifying that he was not given permission to host a party. The Sheriff’s office says the homeowners asked that Brown not return to the property.