Woman Could Stand Trial In Adoption Fraud Case

Defense Says Case Is 'Business Failure'

BOULDER, Colo. -- A judge ruled prosecutors can proceed with their case against a woman accused of bilking clients of thousands of dollars while she ran a Boulder-based international adoption agency.

Lisa Novak of Erie is accused of failing to deliver on adoptions promised to two families through an orphanage in Guatemala. The families said they never got their money back. The 48-year-old Novak was charged with two counts of felony theft and one county of felony fraud.

Police said she ran the Claar Foundation adoption agency until it closed in December.

Novak's attorney Lance Goff said she didn't take any money.

"Lisa Novak did not knowingly take anything," Goff said, reported the Daily Camera and called the case a "business failure."

Boulder County Court Judge Carolyn Hoye Enichen ruled Friday there was no evidence Novak used any money she was paid toward an adoption.

Novak is free on bail. She is scheduled to enter a plea June 20.