Colorado Contractors Indicted for Over $1.1 Million Fraud Scheme
DENVER – Sean Schwalb, owner of Schwalb Builders, and his father, Avi Schwalb of Avi’s Remodeling, have been indicted on over 30 felony counts for allegedly defrauding customers out of more than $1.1 million. The indictment, released by the Colorado Attorney General’s Office, details that the Schwalbs took funds from clients for home remodeling projects but failed to use the money for its intended purposes.
The alleged fraud, which spanned from July 2021 to December 2024, resulted in multiple charges, including two counts related to organized crime and numerous theft counts of varying amounts. In total, there are 34 felony counts against Sean Schwalb, while his employees, Kevin Allbritton, Michael Stein, and Blanca Dominguez, also face charges.
A financial analysis showed a pattern in which customer checks were deposited into the Schwalb Builders account, then quickly transferred to Avi’s Remodeling, where they were reportedly redirected for unrelated expenses. This scheme left many homes uninhabitable after projects were abandoned or left incomplete, impacting numerous families.
Victims have expressed their frustrations, with one stating, “They took our money and they took other people’s money. It’s criminal what they’ve done.” Sean Schwalb is currently held on a $1.1 million bond, while Avi Schwalb’s bond was reduced to $50,000, allowing him to post bail.
Colorado Attorney General Phil Weiser emphasized the seriousness of the allegations, stating, "Fraudsters who steal hard-earned dollars from consumers need to be held accountable," asserting the state’s commitment to recovering lost funds for victims and pursuing justice against contractor fraud.
The indictment follows months of investigation, and the Schwalbs’ business practices have drawn scrutiny from various lawsuits and complaints.