Attorney General Phil Weiser announces settlement with former nonprofit director who misused charitable funds

April 22, 2026 (DENVER) — Attorney General Phil Weiser today announced a settlement with Lindsay Salas, a former nonprofit executive director, who fraudulently obtained nearly $100,000 by submitting false tuition invoices while soliciting charitable donations on behalf of her organization.

“This case is a clear example of the harm that occurs when someone abuses the public’s trust in charitable giving,” said Attorney General Weiser. “Coloradans who donate to nonprofits deserve to know their contributions are used honestly and as intended, and nonprofit organizations should be able to trust that their employees do not misuse charitable funds.”

An investigation by the Colorado Attorney General’s Office found that Salas, while serving as executive director of Court Appointed Special Advocates of Adams and Broomfield Counties, or CASA, submitted falsified invoices to the organization for her own graduate school education. CASA paid those invoices and sought reimbursement from a donor who agreed to pay for Salas’ tuition, even though Salas did not owe tuition. Because her university account had a zero balance, the school issued refunds directly to Salas, allowing her to illegally obtain approximately $99,000.

The settlement resolves violations of the Colorado Consumer Protection Act and the Colorado Charitable Solicitations Act related to conduct that occurred between November 2023 and July 2024.

Under the consent judgment, Salas will pay $66,000 over six years to the attorney general’s office, which will return the funds to CASA. A $125,000 judgment is suspended so long as she complies with the payment plan and other terms.

The agreement also restricts Salas for five years from serving in certain financial or fundraising roles for charitable organizations, including handling charitable contributions or having primary responsibility over a nonprofit’s finances.

The consent judgment resolves the state’s civil claims but does not rule out any other potential legal action.

Read the complaint (PDF) and consent judgement (PDF).

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Media Contact:
Lawrence Pacheco
Chief Communications Officer
(720) 508-6553 office
lawrence.pacheco@coag.gov