Contractor Sentenced to 10 Years for Asbestos Fraud and Elder Abuse

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News Summary

Lance Slayton convicted of defrauding an elderly woman and exposing a neighborhood to asbestos, sentenced to 10 years in prison.

Contractor Sentenced to 10 Years for Asbestos Fraud and Elder Abuse

In a landmark ruling from Jefferson County, contractor Lance Slayton has been convicted of a string of offenses that raised serious concerns about public safety and elder abuse. Found guilty in November 2024, Slayton’s actions not only defrauded an 82-year-old woman but also exposed an entire neighborhood in Arvada to lethal asbestos, a material long recognized as a significant health threat.

The Incident that Sparked a Outrage

The case stems from an catastrophic fire that ravaged a rental unit in a fourplex owned by the elderly victim in April 2022. Following the fire, the property owner astutely hired a restoration company to secure the devastated unit and conduct essential asbestos testing. This decision was a critical one, considering that asbestos is known to be a potent carcinogen, capable of causing deadly diseases such as mesothelioma.

Upon testing, the presence of asbestos was confirmed within the apartment, leading to a need for immediate action. Slayton was engaged and paid a staggering over $70,000 for the necessary asbestos abatement and restoration work. However, rather than fulfilling contractual obligations, Slayton employed unlicensed laborers, mishandled hazardous materials, and left the project incomplete. Such negligent behavior has serious implications, as it placed undeterred workers and unsuspecting residents at a grave risk of asbestos exposure.

Legal Consequences of Recklessness

Slayton’s list of charges was extensive and included criminal exploitation of an at-risk elder, theft from an at-risk elder, intentionally causing a hazardous substance incident, and knowingly endangering others in direct violation of the Air Quality Control Act. The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment found that significant violations of air quality regulations had occurred under Slayton’s management, escalating the matter to a legal issue that could not be ignored.

As a result of his actions, Slayton was sentenced on February 17, 2025 to serve a substantial term of 10 years in the Department of Corrections. While this verdict offers a degree of justice to the victim and the community, the repercussions of Slayton’s negligence will echo for some time.

Seeking Restitution for Damages

In addition to the prison sentence, Slayton faces a restitution hearing scheduled for early April 2025, where prosecutors are demanding a total of $85,000 in restitution to cover damages incurred by the victim. Legal proceedings are also underway for Slayton’s co-defendant, Christina Beckner, who has already pleaded guilty to charges including theft from an at-risk elder and recklessly causing a hazardous substance incident.

Asbestos: A Known Danger

This case underlines the dire necessity of safeguarding public health from hazardous materials like asbestos, which the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) categorizes as a hazardous air pollutant. The agency strictly regulates the handling, removal, and disposal of asbestos to minimize risks to the public. Certified contractors specializing in asbestos abatement must be verified through the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment to ensure compliance with health standards.

For individuals facing similar needs, experts recommend hiring separate firms for asbestos inspection and abatement to prevent potential conflicts of interest that could lead to fraudulent activity and further legal ramifications.

A Community On Alert

With the resolution of this case, community members are left to grapple with the potential hazards that had been lurking near their homes. This shocking incident serves as a clarion call for vigilance against fraudulent contractors and the importance of stringent oversight in handling hazardous materials. Attorney General Phil Weiser has emphasized the state’s commitment to holding fraudulent contractors accountable while safeguarding public health.