A Denver pastor who promised an elderly family a new duplex is now facing court orders to repay them more than $300,000 after the project failed, leaving the couple in debt well into their 70s and 80s.
Denver District Court Judge Jay Grant has ordered Pastor Tilo Lopez to reimburse $311,191.64 to Ventura and Elsie Lara. The Laras claim they put tens of thousands of dollars into the project upfront and took out a $520,000 loan to fund a duplex that was never completed. According to relatives, the financial damage has caused the couple, who are now 77 and 81, to continue working rather than retire.
The reparation verdict came after a hearing that revealed how the money was spent, including what the judge described as exorbitant markups on demolition and abatement. According to testimony, Lopez engaged a contractor for around $14,000, while the Laras were billed about $90,000 for the demolition, and a subcontractor was paid about $30,000 for asbestos remediation, while the family was billed about $150,000. According to CBS Colorado, Judge Grant cited the nearly 542% markup as a crucial factor in the calculation that resulted in the $311,191.64 reparation number.
In court, Miguel Lara was blunt, telling the judge, “This man lied to us.” His parents, Elsie and Ventura, are still paying almost $4,900 per month on the loans for the unfinished duplex. According to CBS Colorado, the family informed the court that receiving the reparation money would not make them whole, but it would help to alleviate the couple’s monthly financial strain.
Plea Deal and Criminal Case
Lopez pled guilty in September to filing a fraudulent tax return and attempting to steal. In a plea agreement that included accused exploitation of an at-risk adult, he was sentenced to 12 years of probation rather than prison. The Laras opposed the settlement, telling the court that it cost them hundreds of thousands of dollars. MinistryWatch documented their concerns as well as the facts of the plea.
Why Restitution Can Be Complicated in Colorado
Colorado law requires prosecutors and judges to present and impose reparation amounts at sentencing or within 91 days. When those deadlines or related procedures are not satisfied, appellate courts have occasionally intervened and overturned restitution rulings.
Collecting court-ordered repayment might be difficult for crime victims under this legal structure. Recently, judges have invalidated restitution awards on scheduling and technical grounds, according to the Denver Gazette and Colorado Politics.
Family Reaction and Next Steps
The Laras say they are focused on using any payback to reduce the sum on their construction loan, allowing them to eventually quit working and retire. Their daughter described the event as a heartbreaking loss of trust, especially because it involved a religion leader, and urged neighbors to check contractors’ credentials and documents before signing anything, even if the referral came from someone in the church.
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