![]() Scott Levin, an attorney with Denver-based Fisher, Sweetbaum & Levin PC, said Meade lost $1.9 million on Stephany’s. Meade declined a request by The Denver Post for an interview but had his attorney speak for him. Littleton police Detective Russ Hoffman said he “didn’t feel it was necessary” to speak to Meade since he had already interviewed Gurley and Meade was in Mazatlan before and after Strottman’s death. Police didn’t interview Meade, who was Strottman’s mentor and a close friend. Gurley was interviewed by police after Strottman’s death. Hal had everything he owned into Stephany’s.” Ed, myself and Hal all funded those losses with additional loans to the company. Startup costs and first-year losses were much larger than planned. “With respect to the business, the answers are simple. “Hal was a long-time family friend and he will be greatly missed,” Gurley said in an interview. Gurley, 43, lives in Olathe, Kan., and was a silent partner. He was vice president of sales and marketing and later was chief financial officer.Īt the company, Meade referred to himself as Willy Wonka, according to one former employee and confirmed by Meade’s attorney. ![]() Meade, 66, splits his time between Lakewood and Mexico. It is likely that the company will be liquidated and its assets sold off in pieces. Mary Jo Gurley was a college roommate of Cindi Strottman and had loaned $430,000 to Stephany’s.Īll investors and creditors say they lost more than $4 million in the less than two years that Strottman, Gurley and Meade owned the company.įirst National Bank of Colorado, which claims it is owed roughly $1.4 million, estimates Stephany’s assets at up to $1.3 million. The creditors include Mary Jo Gurley – the wife of Mark Gurley – and two former employees. Three creditors initiated a Chapter 7 bankruptcy filing on May 4 under the company’s corporate name, Columbine Candy Co. Ed Meade owned 35 percent and Mark Gurley owned 15 percent. There are questions about the company’s finances, how it was run in its final months and what happens next. Former employees weren’t paid for their final two weeks of work. ![]() Competitors and customers were mystified, according to interviews. On April 19, it abruptly closed its five metro-area retail stores and 22,000-square-foot candy factory. In the wake of Strottman’s death on April 4, Stephany’s is in disarray. Its chocolates were given to presenters at the 2005 Academy Awards, according to Monica Janson, Stephany’s former director of corporate sales through June 2005. The company’s website claimed mentions by Martha Stewart and the late chef Julia Child. It has a reputation throughout the industry and the country for its almond toffee, truffles and Denver Mints. Stephany’s Chocolates, based in Arvada, has a 43-year history in Colorado. “If it was a suicide, I believe he died for the company,” she said on May 6 in an interview at their home. Neither she nor their two teenage children were home when he died. “Meaning if death occurred because of suicide, then the policy would be void.”Ĭindi says that in her heart she believes her husband died accidentally. “There was a two-year suicide clause written,” according to the police report. It would have bought out his 50 percent share of the private company, with the proceeds going to his widow, Cindi. Stephany’s held a life-insurance policy that covered Strottman. On May 1, Littleton police closed the investigation. The Jefferson County coroner’s office ruled Strottman’s death a suicide within a week. Heslop said he believes it was an accident. Digital Replica Edition Home Page Close Menu
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