Contractor accused of stealing $1.3 million from Marshall Fire victims pleads guilty

BOULDER COUNTY, Colo. — An Aurora contractor Accused of stealing more than $1 million from four families People whose homes were lost or damaged in the Marshall Fire in unincorporated Boulder County pleaded guilty Tuesday and agreed to pay more than $1 million in restitution.

Leona Scott was accused of failing to complete construction work even though she accepted more than $1.3 million from property owners.

“He signed a separate contract with each of the four families, took their money, but did not use their money as intended,” the Boulder County Sheriff’s Office said in a press release. “There was also no permit to build homes in Boulder County.”

Scott was arrested for theft, a Class 2 misdemeanor because the value is $1 million or more. He pleaded guilty Tuesday to theft, a Class 3 felony, according to the Boulder County District Attorney’s Office.

The court will decide whether Scott faces any jail time or probation. But the prosecutor’s office said Scott agreed to pay $1,738,770.05 in restitution.

“This defendant preyed on and took advantage of people directly affected by the Marshall Fire. His theft at a time when they needed help most exacerbated their suffering. That’s why the Sheriff’s Office and the prosecution team’s actions in convicting and restitution for this felony crime I truly appreciate their work. We will make an additional statement after the Court imposes the sentence,” Boulder County District Attorney Michael Dougherty said in a statement.