CSLB Targets Unlicensed Contractors in Statewide December Sting
Total of 46 Suspects Cited Across Five Counties
SACRAMENTO - The Contractors State License Board (CSLB) is warning consumers about the dangers of hiring an unlicensed contractor. The warning comes after CSLB conducted a series of coordinated sting operations over the past week across five California counties, resulting in citations for 46 suspected unlicensed contractors.
CSLB joined partner law enforcement agencies on December 10-12, 2019 to conduct the sting, including El Dorado District Attorney's Office, Monterey County District Attorney's Office, Los Angeles District Attorney's Office, San Bernardino County District Attorney's Office, Kern County District Attorney's Office, DCA Division of Investigations and the California Department of Insurance.
The undercover operations took place at homes in Placerville (El Dorado County), Carmel (Monterey County), Reseda (Los Angeles County), San Bernardino (San Bernardino County), and Bakersfield (Kern County).
Investigators from CSLB's Statewide Investigative Fraud Team (SWIFT) used newspaper and online ads as well as business cards to find people suspected of performing illegal contracting jobs. The suspects were asked to provide bids for home improvement jobs like painting, paving, flooring, tree trimming, insulation, concrete, and tile installation.
During the operation, bids ranged from $700 for interior painting to more than $18,000 for concrete installation. State law requires a state-issued contractor license for construction or home repair work that totals $500 or more in materials and/or labor.
Forty-five suspects who could now face a misdemeanor charge of contracting without a license (Business and Professions Code (BPC) §7028. First-conviction penalties include up to six months in jail and/or up to $5,000 in fines.
"This holiday season, homeowners should realize that if they hire someone who's not licensed, they run a much bigger risk of getting ripped off," said CSLB Registrar David Fogt. "When consumers do their homework and hire a licensed contractor there are more protections in place to prevent problems."
Consumers can check a contractor's license status by conducting an "Instant License Check" in a matter of seconds on CSLB's website by typing in the contractor's license number, name, or business name. The search results reveal whether or not the contractor's license is active and/or in good standing.
Homeowners can also use CSLB's Find My Licensed Contractor feature to build and download a list of qualified licensed contractors in their area.
In addition, 43 individuals could face an additional misdemeanor charge for their illegal advertisements. Licensed contractors must display their license number in all advertisements; unlicensed contractors must state in all ads that they do not have a license (BPC §7027.1). The penalty for violating the advertising rules for unlicensed contractors is a fine of $700 to $1,000.
Eleven people were also cited for not having workers' compensation (WC) insurance (Labor Code §3700.5), which puts workers at risk of not being covered if they are hurt on the job and exposes homeowners to liability for on-site injuries.
If contractors don't have employees, they must file a workers' compensation exemption with CSLB, which is noted on the license record. The exception is for roofing contractors, who must carry workers' compensation insurance, whether they work solo or have employees (who also must be covered).
Three others may be charged with requesting an illegally large down payment. California law (Business and Professions Code section 7159(a)(3)) states that a down payment cannot exceed $1,000 or 10% of the contract amount, whichever is less.
One individual was using a CSLB license number that did not belong to them. They face a penalty for fraudulent use of an incorrect license number (Business and Professions Code (BPC § 7027.3). Those interested in getting a contractor license are encouraged to attend one of our licensing workshops.
All suspects have been ordered to appear in court on various dates starting in February of 2020.
STING NOTES (By Location)
Placerville (El Dorado County)
- 8 cases referred to District Attorney
- Suspects due in court February 10, 2020
Carmel (Monterey County)
- 6 cases referred to District Attorney
- One suspect emailed bid using license number that did not belong to him
- Suspects due in court February 25-26, 2020
Reseda (Los Angeles County)
- 5 cases referred to District Attorney
- Two repeat offenders cited in sting
San Bernardino (San Bernardino County)
- 11 cases referred to District Attorney
- 11 suspects may be cited for illegal advertising
- Suspects due in court April 15-16, 2020
Bakersfield (Kern County)
- 16 cases referred to District Attorney
- 10 suspects may be cited for no workers' compensation
- Suspects due in court February 11 & February 13, 2020
NOTE: All suspects are presumed innocent until their case is resolved.
Placerville (El Dorado County) DAY 1 - December 10, 2019
SUSPECT NAME CITY OF RESIDENCE |
LICENSE CLASSIFICATION |
ALLEGED VIOLATIONS |
---|---|---|
Julian Hernandez Rio Linda |
C-54 Ceramic and Mosaic Tile Contractor | Contracting without a license, illegal advertising |
Sammy Garcia Mirada Sacramento |
C-4 - Boiler, Hot Water Heating and Steam Fitting Contractor | Contracting without a license, illegal advertising |
Cristi Lee Jones Folsom |
C-6 - Cabinet, Millwork and Finish Carpentry Contractor | Contracting without a license, illegal advertising |
Jose Gustavo Diaz Lopez Sacramento |
C-33 Painting and Decorating Contractor | Contracting without a license, illegal advertising, No workers' compensation |
John Isaac Harrod Placerville |
C-2 - Insulation and Acoustical Contractor | Contracting without a license, illegal advertising |
Placerville (El Dorado County) DAY 2 - December 11, 2019
SUSPECT NAME CITY OF RESIDENCE |
LICENSE CLASSIFICATION |
ALLEGED VIOLATIONS |
---|---|---|
Juan Alberto DeLaFuente Sacramento |
C-15 Flooring and Floor Covering Contractor | Illegal advertising |
Andrew Mario Purcell Folsom |
C-15 Flooring and Floor Covering Contractor | Contracting without a license, illegal advertising |
Aurelio Castro Carmichael |
C-33 Painting and Decorating Contractor | Contracting without a license, illegal advertising |
Carmel (Monterey County) - DAY 1 - December 10, 2019
SUSPECT NAME CITY OF RESIDENCE |
LICENSE CLASSIFICATION |
ALLEGED VIOLATIONS |
---|---|---|
John Richard Palsma Salinas |
C-36 Plumbing | Contracting without a license, illegal advertising, Fraudulent use of a license number, Excessive down payment |
Oswaldo Trigueros Ramirez Seaside |
C-15 Flooring Contractor | Contracting without a license, illegal advertising |
Alan Manuel Morales Seaside |
C-33 Painting and Decorating | Contracting without a license, illegal advertising, Excessive down payment |
Carmel (Monterey County) - DAY 2 - December 11, 2019
SUSPECT NAME CITY OF RESIDENCE |
LICENSE CLASSIFICATION |
ALLEGED VIOLATIONS |
---|---|---|
Jose Luis Mendoza Flores Moss Landing |
C-13 Fencing | Contracting without a license, illegal advertising |
Derek Levett Fowler Seaside |
C-33 Painting and Decorating Contractor | Contracting without a license, illegal advertising, Excessive down payment |
Sergio Armando Cruz Santiago Hollister |
C-8 Concrete | Contracting without a license |
Reseda (Los Angeles County) - December 11, 2019
SUSPECT NAME CITY OF RESIDENCE |
LICENSE CLASSIFICATION |
ALLEGED VIOLATIONS |
---|---|---|
Arley David Carter Lancaster |
"B" - General Building contractors | Contracting without a license, illegal advertising |
Jorge Fernandez-Hernandez Lancaster |
C-33 Painting and Decorating Contractor | Contracting without a license, illegal advertising |
Jorge Larios-Garcia Los Angeles |
"B" - General Building contractors | Contracting without a license, illegal advertising |
Francisco Alberto Guerrero Palafox Pacoima |
"B" - General Building contractors | Contracting without a license, illegal advertising |
Edward Lynn Phillips Toledo, Ohio |
C-33 Painting and Decorating Contractor | Contracting without a license, illegal advertising |
San Bernardino (San Bernardino County) - DAY 1 - December 11, 2019
SUSPECT NAME CITY OF RESIDENCE |
LICENSE CLASSIFICATION |
ALLEGED VIOLATIONS |
---|---|---|
Juan Lopez Gomez Riverside |
C-8 - Concrete Contractor | Contracting without a license, illegal advertising |
Everardo Rosalind Rendon Ambrosio Pomona |
C-54 Ceramic and Mosaic Tile Contractor | Contracting without a license, illegal advertising |
Siaosi Pahulu Apple Valley |
C-8 - Concrete Contractor | Contracting without a license, illegal advertising |
Jesus Emmanuel Gutierre Castro Murrieta |
C-54 Ceramic and Mosaic Tile Contractor | Contracting without a license, illegal advertising |
Lorenzo Bacilio Francisco Riverside |
C-8 - Concrete Contractor | Contracting without a license, illegal advertising |
Kenny Kaman Lam Pomona |
C-15 Flooring and Floor Covering Contractor | Contracting without a license, illegal advertising |
Robert Roger Al Gracia Redlands |
C-54 Ceramic and Mosaic Tile Contractor | Contracting without a license, illegal advertising |
San Bernardino (San Bernardino County) DAY 2 - December 12, 2019
SUSPECT NAME CITY OF RESIDENCE |
LICENSE CLASSIFICATION |
ALLEGED VIOLATIONS |
---|---|---|
Rodrigo Montano Solorio Fountain Valley |
C-54 Ceramic and Mosaic Tile Contractor | Contracting without a license, illegal advertising |
Isaac Hernandez Corona |
C-33 Painting and Decorating Contractor | Contracting without a license, illegal advertising |
Cristobal Jose Cristobal Diego Homeland |
C-8 - Concrete Contractor | Contracting without a license, illegal advertising |
Sergio Camacho Gutierrez Fontana |
C-8 - Concrete Contractor | Contracting without a license, illegal advertising |
Bakersfield (Kern County) DAY 1 - December 10, 2019
SUSPECT NAME CITY OF RESIDENCE |
LICENSE CLASSIFICATION |
ALLEGED VIOLATIONS |
---|---|---|
Jose Luis Ayala-Vazquez Bakersfield |
C-33 Painting and Decorating Contractor | Contracting without a license, Illegal advertising, No workers' compensation |
Eder Eligio Velazquez Peralta Ontario |
C-33 Painting and Decorating Contractor | Contracting without a license, Illegal advertising, No workers' compensation |
Gerardo Campos Amador Bakersfield |
C-23 Ornamental Contractor | Contracting without a license, Illegal advertising, No workers' compensation |
Byron Rodolfo Alvarado Bakersfield |
C-54 Ceramic and Mosaic Tile Contractor | Contracting without a license, Illegal advertising, No workers' compensation |
Eric Anthony Bakersfield |
C-54 Ceramic and Mosaic Tile Contractor | Contracting without a license, Illegal advertising |
Maurice Legree Bakersfield |
C-33 Painting and Decorating Contractor | Contracting without a license, Illegal advertising |
Alejandro Guzman Tapia Arvin |
C-33 Painting and Decorating Contractor | Contracting without a license, Illegal advertising |
Victor Farias Jr. Bakersfield |
C-33 Painting and Decorating Contractor | Contracting without a license |
Bakersfield (Kern County) DAY 2 - December 11, 2019
SUSPECT NAME CITY OF RESIDENCE |
LICENSE CLASSIFICATION |
ALLEGED VIOLATIONS |
---|---|---|
Theodore William Forzetting Bakersfield |
C-54 Ceramic and Mosaic Tile Contractor | Contracting without a license |
Ryan Paul Lucero Bakersfield |
C-33 Painting and Decorating Contractor | Contracting without a license, Illegal advertising, No workers' compensation |
Luis Enrique Diaz Guillen Bakersfield |
C-33 Painting and Decorating Contractor | Contracting without a license, Illegal advertising, No workers' compensation |
Jose Luis Tevelan Mejia Bakersfield |
C-33 Painting and Decorating Contractor | Contracting without a license, Illegal advertising, No workers' compensation |
Daniel Benedict Cerna Bakersfield |
C-33 Painting and Decorating Contractor | Contracting without a license, Illegal advertising, No workers' compensation |
Francisco Javier Aguilar-Diaz Bakersfield |
C13 - Fencing Contractor | Contracting without a license, Illegal advertising, No workers' compensation |
Raymond Richard Parks Jr Bakersfield |
C-33 Painting and Decorating Contractor | Contracting without a license, Illegal advertising, No workers' compensation |
Tony Choate Bakersfield |
C-29 Masonry Contractor | Contracting without a license, Illegal advertising |
The Contractors State License Board operates under the umbrella of the California Department of Consumer Affairs. CSLB licenses and regulates more than 285,000 contractors in California and is regarded as one of the leading consumer protection agencies in the United States. In fiscal year 2018-2019, CSLB helped recover over $49 million in ordered restitution for consumers.
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