Fort Collins’ Full Spirit Ministries to pay $14K in lawsuit

DENVER – A homeless shelter in Fort Collins must pay $14,000 in restitution to the Denver Rescue Mission after its operators misused the charity’s assets and made false statements while soliciting donations, the Colorado Attorney General’s office said Tuesday.

Full Spirit Ministries founder Rev. Richard Thebo, 72, and his son, Darren, 43, must pay the restitution to the Denver Rescue Mission, the charity’s successor. Richard Thebo and Darren Thebo also are barred from running or forming any Colorado charity under the settlement.

“This settlement brings closure to a lengthy investigation and prioritizes the true victims in this case; the homeless community,” Attorney General John Suthers said in a statement. “We have full faith in the Denver Rescue Mission’s abilities to take over from here.”

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The Thebos were accused of misusing at least $31,000 of the charity’s assets.

The Thebos as well as Andrew Kaminski and Patsy Kaminski, two of the charity’s board members, also cannot serve as director, officer or trustee of any charity. The Kaminskis can continue running their prison ministry, the Full Gospel Business Men’s Fellowship.

The settlement resolves a lawsuit by the Attorney General’s Office alleging that Full Spirit Ministries, which does business as Open Door Mission, told donors that their contributions would aid the homeless. The donations actually funded Richard Thebo’s personal expenses, including improvements to his home, the attorney general’s office said.

Darren Thebo was accused of using donations to buy tools for his business, Thebo Construction.

The Thebos will be required to pay $12,000 in fines if they violate the settlement, the attorney general’s office said.