Woman Charged with Getting Deed to $4M Raleigh Home She Doesn’t Own Returns to Court

Accused Returns to Court in Deed Fraud Case

The woman accused of putting the deed to a multimillion‑dollar north Raleigh home in her name returned to court Monday.

Dawn Mangum appeared in person for the first time since authorities charged her. She had bonded out of jail following her last court appearance. Prosecutors charged her with attempting to obtain property under false pretenses.

Mangum did not speak during the hearing.

Prosecutors Detail Alleged Fraud

Prosecutors say Mangum filed a warranty deed for Craig Adams’ home on August 12. The house is an 8,300‑square‑foot property located in a private, gated community. She filed the paperwork with the Wake County Register of Deeds Office.

Adams said he learned about the deed only after his homeowners association contacted him. The HOA’s property management company asked whether he had sold the home. According to Adams, Mangum had contacted them to request gate access.

Adams believes Mangum planned to squat in the home.

Mangum Claims She Thought Property Was Abandoned

Before criminal charges were filed, Troubleshooter Diane Wilson spoke with Mangum about the situation.

Mangum said she believed everything she did was legal. She said she thought the property was in foreclosure and claimed the law allowed someone to take over an abandoned home.

Mangum later said she stopped all paperwork once she learned the home was not in foreclosure.

Adams confirmed that an online property listing mistakenly showed the home as being in foreclosure. He said the website corrected the error.

No Comment After Court Hearing

Before the hearing, Mangum told Wilson she would speak after court. However, once the hearing ended, Mangum left with her attorney. Neither answered questions from Wilson.

“We don’t have any comment,” the attorney said while walking away.

Mangum is scheduled to return to court in January.

Homeowner Files Civil Suit and Pushes for Reform

In addition to the criminal case, Adams has filed a civil lawsuit against Mangum. He wants a judge to hear the evidence and rule that the actions were fraudulent.

Adams is also working with lawmakers. He hopes to prevent similar cases from happening to other homeowners in the future.