Boulder Reporting Lab investigation into the collapse of Frequency Dance, which documented unpaid bills, fraud allegations and complaints from parents who said they were billed for services and competitions that never occurred.
Prosecutors also appear to link the charges to a reported break-in at the South Boulder studio in July 2023.
footage from July 28, 2023, appeared to show two people entering the studio. The next morning, Burdine told police that spray paint covered nearly every surface, furniture had been destroyed, and large mirrors were shattered.
Boulder police issued a press release at the time describing a “dance studio burglary” and vandalism possibly by male teenagers. Local news outlets quickly disseminated the story. Burdine later told Boulder Reporting Lab she filed an insurance claim.
“Absolutely, we did,” she said. “It was quite extensive, unfortunately.”
“We did…
This involves defrauding the state or using government systems to steal from individuals.
- Tax Identity Theft: A criminal uses your ID and income details to file a tax return in your name and claim a refund before you do.
- Grant/Benefit Fraud: Falsely claiming unemployment, disability, or social grants that the perpetrator is not entitled to.