JEFFERSON COUNTY, Colo. — A 55-year-old contractor was found guilty Thursday of defrauding an elderly woman and exposing his workers and an entire neighborhood to asbestos, according to a release from the Colorado Attorney General's Office.
In June 2023, a statewide grand jury indicted Lance Slayton on five charges related to work he did the year prior at an Arvada rental property owned by an 82-year-old woman, according to the release.
Between May and September 2022, Slayton was hired to remove asbestos — a carcinogen linked to life-threatening diseases — and restore a unit damaged by fire at the property, the release said.
Slayton, who was operating through Preferred Companies LLC and Colorado Catastrophe Assistance Program, hired unlicensed workers and "intentionally spilled and dumped a hazardous substance," per the release.
He reportedly did not complete the project he was hired for, despite being paid $70,000, leaving the property in unsafe conditions that were not compliant with state environmental regulations.
Inspections by the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment found that serious public health violations occurred at the site, including the improper disposal of materials containing asbestos and the failure to prevent hazardous emissions, the release said. According to inspectors, this put both workers and residents at risk of exposure to the carcinogen.
On Thursday, a Jefferson County District Court jury found Slayton guilty of:
- Criminal exploitation of an at-risk person, a felony.
- Theft of an at-risk person, a felony.
- Intentionally causing and contributing to a hazardous substance incident, a felony.
- Two violations of the Air Quality Control Act, including knowingly releasing a hazardous air pollutant (asbestos) into ambient air with knowledge of placing another person in imminent risk of serious bodily injury or death.
"This case highlights the grave consequences of putting profit over safety and the well-being of our most vulnerable citizens," said Colorado Attorney General Weiser in the release.
Slayton is being held without bond at the Jefferson County jail. His sentencing is set for Dec. 20.
A court appearance for Christina Becker, a second defendant in this case who was also indicted in June 2023, is set for Dec. 9.
