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CSLB Stages United Front Against Unlicensed Contractors in San Benito

Two-day sting operation by agencies in Hollister catches 11 on illegal contracting charges

SACRAMENTO – Teaming up with local public safety agencies to tackle a common problem, the Contractors State License Board (CSLB) recently concluded a two-day sting operation to root out unlicensed contractors in the San Benito County area. Eleven persons were cited on illegal contracting charges stemming from the Dec. 2-3, 2015 sting in Hollister.

Investigators with CSLB’s Statewide Investigative Fraud Team (SWIFT) worked with their counterparts from the San Benito County District Attorney’s Office and Hollister Police Department to conduct the sting at a home in a residential subdivision in the city.

SWIFT investigators posed as the owners of the home with a list of improvement projects to complete, including interior and exterior painting, landscaping, fencing, plumbing and concrete work. Using a list of leads compiled from business cards, newspaper and phone book ads, online advertising sites, and a CSLB complaint, they invited suspected unlicensed contractors in the area to stop by and give estimates.

Ten persons turned in bids during the sting’s first day, most considerably higher than the legal limit of $500 for labor and/or materials. They were cited on a misdemeanor charge of contracting without a state license (Business and Professions Code (BPC) section (§) 7028) and given Notices to Appear in San Benito County Superior Court.

Penalties for first-time unlicensed contracting convictions include up to six months in jail and/or up to $5,000 in fines.

In addition, eight of the 10 cited for unlicensed contracting face an additional misdemeanor charge of illegal advertising. Under the law (BPC section §7027.1), unlicensed contractors may advertise their services, but must state in the ad that they are unlicensed.

One person was cited for unlicensed contracting and illegal advertising on the rainy second day of the sting, December 3. CSLB Registrar Cindi Christenson lauded the cooperation between agencies that worked together on the sting.

“We’re thankful for the terrific cooperation we got from the Hollister Police and San Benito District Attorney’s Office,” Christenson said. “They realize, as do we, that illegal contracting takes advantage of both the consumer and the licensed contractors who play by the rules.”

Captain Carlos Reynoso of the Hollister Police added that his department “is grateful for this collaborative effort.”

“We look forward to partnering with the CSLB in the future to protect our citizens from unscrupulous and unlawful contractors,” Reynoso said. The suspects are scheduled to appear on February 16, 2016, in San Benito County Superior Court, 450 Fourth Street, Hollister, CA 95110 (MAP). NOTE: All suspects are presumed innocent until their case is resolved.

DAY 1

SUSPECT’S NAME CITY OF RESIDENCE	LICENSE CLASSIFICATION	ALLEGED VIOLATIONS
Benjamin Tapia Parra Morgan Hill	C-33 – Painting and Decorating	Contracting without a license, Illegal advertising
Steve Bruce Cepin Salinas	C-33 – Painting and Decorating	Contracting without a license, Illegal advertising
Luis Manuel Rossano-Sanchez Gilroy	C-33 – Painting and Decorating	Contracting without a license, Illegal advertising
Silverio Juarez-Juarez Seaside	C-29 – Masonry	Contracting without a license, Illegal advertising
Eric John Tanis Morgan Hill	C-5 – Framing and Rough Carpentry	Contracting without a license, Illegal advertising
Brisio Angel Garcia Hollister	C-8 – Concrete	Contracting without a license, Illegal advertising
David Cesar Vera Hernandez Salinas	C-5 – Framing and Rough Carpentry	Contracting without a license, Illegal advertising
Javier Gonzales Jr. Soledad	C-27 – Landscaping	Contracting without a license
Cesar Perez Cazares Gilroy	C-36 – Plumbing	Contracting without a license, Illegal advertising
Pierre Savery Riche Watsonville	C-13 – Fencing	Contracting without a license

DAY 2

SUSPECT’S NAME CITY OF RESIDENCE	LICENSE CLASSIFICATION	ALLEGED VIOLATIONS
Anselmo De Jesus Aniceto Salinas	C-33 – Painting and Decorating	Contracting without a license, Illegal advertising

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 2014-15, CSLB helped recover nearly $68 million in ordered restitution for consumers.

 

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