A Larimer County real estate agent is facing five felony charges for his role in an alleged money laundering scheme that scammed 15 clients out of nearly $850,000.

Bret Lamperes, 51, of Berthoud, has been charged with theft, money laundering, two counts of filing a false tax return and tax evasion, and is currently being held in the Weld County Jail, according to a release from the Weld County District Attorney’s office. 

Man arrested in connection to at least two arsons in Weld County

The FBI along with the WCDAO and Colorado Department of Revenue were involved in an investigation into Lamperes and believe he completed 29 sale contracts to construct condominiums in Windsor, but only eight were built, according to the release.

Investigators say the defendant allegedly stole $842,510 from 15 clients who invested their money into Investments of Windsor, LLC (IOW) for the condominium project. 

Lamperes began IOW in February 2015, according to the release. He turned himself into authorities on Tuesday and is scheduled to appear in court Friday morning. 

Authorities are encouraging anyone with additional information or believed to have been a victim of Lamperes to contact Weld DA Investigator Cayley Chiodo at 970-400-4709 or email her at [email protected]