Court issues gag order, halts barrel sales
8:28 a.m. Aug. 9, 2025
@nearestgreen / Instagram
DUANE CROSS
MCO Publisher•Editor
A federal judge has imposed strict limits on Uncle Nearest Inc. and its affiliates while considering whether to appoint a receiver to take control of the whiskey maker’s operations in a high-stakes loan dispute with Farm Credit Mid-America.
The Agreed Order, signed by U.S. District Judge Charles E. Atchley Jr. on Friday, Aug. 8, bars the distillery, its owners Fawn and Keith Weaver, and all related parties from taking actions that could affect the company’s brand, collateral, or other assets at issue in the case until the court rules on Farm Credit’s request for a receivership.
The order – jointly requested by both sides – prohibits the sale or transfer of lender collateral and receivership assets, including whiskey barrels, and forbids public statements about the proceedings on social media or to the press without court approval. Private discussions with current or potential investors are still allowed.
Uncle Nearest may continue normal business operations, but any transaction that might impact Farm Credit’s collateral or violate loan agreements is off-limits. The court also retained exclusive jurisdiction to interpret and enforce the order’s provisions.
Farm Credit has accused Uncle Nearest and its affiliates of defaulting on more than $100 million in loans. The lender’s emergency motion seeks a court-appointed receiver to safeguard assets and manage the business while the case proceeds. Judge Atchley heard arguments on Thursday, Aug. 7, and has taken the matter under advisement.
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