DENVER — The owners of Schwalb Builders, a home remodeling company, were arrested after being indicted on criminal theft and organized crime charges. The charges come amid over a dozen lawsuits filed against them for alleged fraud and uncompleted work.
Sean Schwalb, 38, and his father, Avi Schwalb, 67, face a total of 64 felonies, including charges related to thefts ranging from $5,000 to $1 million and violations of the Colorado Organized Crime Control Act. The indictment, which remains sealed, includes 67 witnesses—victims and investigators—and is being prosecuted by the Colorado Attorney General’s Office.
Both men were arrested on December 13, and bond was set at $1.1 million for Sean Schwalb, while Avi’s bond was lowered to $50,000. Avi was also ordered to surrender his passports. Their next court hearing is scheduled for January 13.
Over the past year, victims have come forward regarding their dealings with Schwalb Builders, including Kevin and Noelle Collins. The couple paid over $250,000 for a remodel that was left incomplete, with the City of Denver issuing a “stop work” order on their property. Additionally, an independent report deemed the house “unsafe to occupy” due to unlicensed and unpermitted work.
The Collins family is now paying both rent and a mortgage on an uninhabitable property. Meanwhile, Sean Schwalb has been seen flaunting a lavish lifestyle on social media, sparking further outrage among his victims.
Construction attorney Jason Kruger, representing the Collins family, has described the case as the worst instance of fraud he’s ever encountered, connecting both Sean and Avi Schwalb to the alleged fraudulent activities. Although Avi Schwalb has denied involvement in the company, he acknowledged helping his son start Schwalb Builders.
Several courts have already ruled against Schwalb Builders, with summary judgments totaling hundreds of thousands of dollars in damages. Despite this, both Sean and Avi Schwalb have not publicly commented on the allegations.
