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CSLB Exposes Risks of Hiring Illegal Contractors during Merced Sting
Friday-Saturday undercover operation nets suspect previously convicted of attempted murder
SACRAMENTO – A weekend undercover sting operation conducted by the Contractors State License Board (CSLB) in Merced on August 14-15, 2015, snagged 12 illegal operators – individuals who undercut law-abiding, licensed contractors.
In addition to finding two individuals without valid driver licenses who had to find other transportation, investigators from CSLB’s Statewide Investigative Fraud Team (SWIFT), with the assistance of the Merced District Attorney’s Office and California Highway Patrol, caught one suspect who previously was convicted of attempted murder and currently is on probation for promoting prison contraband.
“It isn’t uncommon for CSLB investigators to find people with serious criminal records during our sting operations,” said CSLB Registrar Cindi Christenson. “This is why it’s so important to only consider licensed contractors and check their license status on the CSLB website before hiring anyone.”
After compiling a list of suspected unlicensed contractors found through ads on Craigslist and in local print publications, SWIFT investigators posed as homeowners of a property near the Merced Mall that needed deck repair, fencing, interior paint, sod and sprinkler installation, and tile work. Project bids ranged from $1,150 for interior painting to $7,750 for redwood fencing and deck repair.
The dozen suspects were cited for contracting without a license (Business and Professions Code (BPC) section (§) 7028), as well as an additional charge of illegal advertising (BPC §7027.1). First-conviction penalties for contracting without a license include up to six months in jail and/or up to $5,000 in fines. Penalties are more severe with each successive violation. State law prohibits unlicensed contractors from advertising for construction-related work valued at $500 or more, although they can advertise for jobs below that amount if the ad states that they are not licensed.
Two individuals were cited for failing to have workers’ compensation insurance for employees (Labor Code §3700.5), which puts workers and property owners at financial risk if there is an onsite injury.
One individual was cited for charging an excessive down payment (BPC §7159.5 (a)(3)(b)), which cannot exceed $1,000 or 10 percent of the contract amount, whichever is less. Suspects were issued a Notice to Appear in Merced Superior Court, 2260 N Street, Merced, CA 93540 (MAP), to answer to illegal contracting charges on either October 20 or October 22, 2015.
DAY 1
SUSPECT NAME
CITY OF RESIDENCELICENSE
CLASSIFICATIONALLEGED
VIOLATIONSSergio Valdez-Novoa
ModestoC-13 – Fencing Contracting without a license,
Illegal advertisingJoseph Louis Signorelli
FresnoB – General Building Contracting without a license,
Illegal advertisingRoger Robert Allshouse
MercedC-54 – Ceramic and Mosaic Tile Contracting without a license,
Illegal advertisingJose Gonzales
MercedB – General Building Contracting without a license,
Illegal advertisingFernando Aguirre Ambrocio
Aguirre’s Painting
MaderaC-33 – Painting and Decorating Contracting without a license,
Illegal advertisingRaymond Carbajal Jr.
Ray’s Handyman Services
MercedC-5 – Framing and Rough Carpentry Contracting without a license,
Illegal advertisingColby Lavern Dirickson
CLD Fencing
MercedC-13 – Fencing Contracting without a license,
Illegal advertising
DAY 2
SUSPECT NAME
CITY OF RESIDENCELICENSE
CLASSIFICATIONALLEGED
VIOLATIONSFelix Ramon Zaragoza
ModestoC-13 – Fencing Contracting without a license,
Illegal advertisingJoseph Santillan
MercedC-27 – Landscaping Contracting without a license,
Illegal advertising,
No workers’ compensation insuranceAlexander Daoud Gevarges
ModestoC-13 – Fencing Contracting without a license,
Illegal advertisingReynaldo Contreras Magadan
MCR Gardening
MercedC-27 – Landscaping Contracting without a license,
Illegal advertising,
No workers’ compensation insurance
CSLB encourages consumers to always “Check The License First” by visiting www.cslb.ca.gov or calling its toll-free automated line: 800.321.CSLB (2752). Also, visit CSLB’s website for tips about how to hire a contractor and to sign up for CSLB Email Alerts.
The Contractors State License Board operates under the umbrella of the California Department of Consumer Affairs. CSLB licenses and regulates about 290,000 contractors in California, and is regarded as one of the leading consumer protection agencies in the United States. In fiscal year 2013-14, CSLB helped recover nearly $51 million in ordered restitution for consumers.
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