FORT COLLINS - Board members of Fort Collins homeless shelter Open Door Mission misled donors by using their money for personal gain, the Colorado Attorney General's Office said.

Richard M. Thebo, founder and CEO of Full Spirit Ministries, also known as Open Door Mission, reportedly denied the allegations.

The state Attorney General's Office said Thursday that it is suing Richard Thebo, 71, and several of the charity's board members. They are accused of misusing at least $31,000 of the charity's assets and making misrepresentations while soliciting donations.

Full Spirit Ministries representatives told consumers their donations would help homeless people. They actually were being used to pay for improvements to private residences, according to a complaint filed in Larimer County District Court.

Richard Thebo and his son, Darren C. Thebo, 42, both of Fort Collins, justified the improvements by claiming their homes were halfway houses, according to the complaint.

Richard Thebo used donation money for new carpeting, driveways, fencing, landscaping and installation of a waterfall, according to the complaint. Darren Thebo also is accused of buying tools for his business, Thebo Construction.

Most of the homeless people living in Richard Thebo's home were his female companions, the complaint states.

Open Door Mission board members Andrew Kaminski and Patsy Kaminski, who are married and live in Aurora, also are named as defendants in the consumer protection lawsuit. Phone calls to a number listed as the Kaminskis' were not answered.