Contractor Sentenced to 10 Years for $1.4M Home Remodeling Fraud
Summary
A Denver District Court judge sentenced Avi Schwalb to 10 years in the Colorado Department of Corrections for a home remodeling contractor fraud scheme that stole over $1.4 million from homeowners. In February 2026, a jury found Schwalb guilty on all 47 felony charges including theft, money laundering, and violating Colorado's organized crime law. The investigation covered work conducted from July 2021 to December 2024.
What changed
A Denver District Court judge sentenced Avi Schwalb to 10 years in Colorado Department of Corrections after a jury found him guilty of 47 felony charges including theft, money laundering, and violating the state's organized crime law. Schwalb operated Schwalb Builders and Avi's Remodeling and Contracting, soliciting home remodeling contracts, collecting deposits, and then abandoning projects or performing faulty work from July 2021 through December 2024, stealing over $1.4 million from homeowners.
The substantial prison sentence signals increased enforcement against contractor fraud in Colorado, with the Attorney General's Special Prosecutions Unit actively investigating and prosecuting these cases. Homeowners should verify contractor credentials, obtain multiple bids, and avoid paying large deposits upfront. Consumers who believe they may be victims of contractor fraud should file complaints with the Colorado Attorney General's Office and contact local law enforcement.
What to do next
- Consumers who may be victims of contractor fraud should file a complaint with the Colorado Attorney General's Office
- Contact local police department to report suspected contractor fraud
Penalties
10 years in Colorado Department of Corrections, 47 felony convictions
Archived snapshot
Apr 15, 2026GovPing captured this document from the original source. If the source has since changed or been removed, this is the text as it existed at that time.
Contractor sentenced to 10 years for felony theft in home remodeling fraud scheme
April 14, 2026 (DENVER) – A Denver District Court judge on Monday sentenced Avi Schwalb to 10 years in the Colorado Department of Corrections for carrying out an elaborate home remodeling contractor fraud scheme and stealing over $1.4 million from homeowners. In February, a jury found Schwalb guilty on all 47 felony charges of theft, money laundering, and violating the state’s organized crime law.
A statewide grand jury indicted Schwalb and his business partners in December 2024 (PDF), accusing them of soliciting home remodeling contracts, collecting customer deposits, and then failing to complete any work on the projects.
“Coloradans spend precious time and money to buy and remodel their homes. Homeowners place a lot of trust in contractors to complete the work they agreed to do on their home. In this case, the scope and impact of the defendant’s criminal acts was significant and devastating to many homeowners. The court imposed a serious sentence for his serious crimes, and I am glad we were able to bring justice for the victim homeowners,” said Attorney General Weiser.
The investigation into Schwalb began with looking into Schwalb Builders and Avi’s Remodeling and Contracting, affiliated companies that conducted general contracting services throughout the Denver area. During home remodeling work from July 2021 to December 2024, Schwalb often abandoned projects after starting demolition or performing faulty work on the homes, leaving the homes damaged and uninhabitable.
The investigation and prosecution were conducted by the Attorney General’s Special Prosecutions Unit. The case was filed in Denver District Court. Other defendants are awaiting trial.
Coloradans who believe they might be the victim of contractor fraud can file a complaint with the Colorado Attorney General’s Office and contact their local police department. For more information on how to detect and avoid becoming a victim of contractor fraud, visit StopFraudColorado.gov.
A grand jury indictment is a formal accusation that an individual committed a crime under Colorado laws. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty.
Media Contact:
Lawrence Pacheco
Chief Communications Officer
(720) 508-6553 office
lawrence.pacheco@coag.gov
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Contractor sentenced to 10 years for felony theft in home remodeling fraud scheme
April 14, 2026 (DENVER) – A Denver District Court judge on Monday sentenced Avi Schwalb to 10 years in the Colorado Department of Corrections for carrying out an elaborate home remodeling contractor fraud scheme and stealing over $1.4 million from […]
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