Woman Who Ran Adoption Agency Found Guilty Of Theft

December 12, 2008

BOULDER, Colo. -- A jury has convicted a woman charged with stealing money from prospective parents who did business with her now-defunct, Boulder-based adoption agency.

Jurors deliberated for 18 hours over three days before finding Lisa Novak, 48, guilty Thursday of one count of fraud and three counts of theft, all felonies. She was facing a total of 10 theft and fraud charges.

Novak has been on trial since Dec. 1 on charges relating to her Claar Foundation adoption agency, which closed last year.

Prosecutors say the business took tens of thousands of dollars from couples hoping to adopt but never delivered on promised services.

Defense attorney Lance Goff maintained Novak was innocent and was being made a scapegoat by people whose adoptions fell through.

Novak remains free on bond until her Feb. 6 sentencing.