Sonoma County Unlicensed Contractor Pleads Guilty to Eleven Counts of Illegal Contracting

    Unlicensed contractor also ordered to pay $15,000 in restitution to his victims

    SACRAMENTO – This week, an unlicensed contractor arrested after seven consumer complaints alleging that he took nearly $30,000, and provided minimal landscaping work before abandoning the jobs, plead guilty to 11 counts against him, including four felonies.

    Tony Dang entered the plea on Monday, January 14, 2019 in Santa Rosa Superior Court. He plead guilty to four felony and three misdemeanor counts of diversion of construction funds (Penal Code section 484b), three misdemeanor counts of contracting without a license (Business & Professions Code section 7028) and one count of illegal advertising (Business & Professions Code section 7027.1). Sentencing was delayed until November 2019, to give Mr. Dang the opportunity to pay $15,000 in restitution to his victims.

    Mr. Dang must pay $1,500 per month for ten months. If he follows through and makes the payments, he will be granted probation. If he doesn't, he will have to face sentencing in November at the will of the court.

    "We hope this suspect follows through with paying restitution to his victims, to help lessen their burden," said CSLB Registrar David Fogt. "It also reinforces the importance of not taking someone's word when they say they've a contractor's license. Consumers need to verify that information before moving ahead and paying any money."

    Consumers should also use CSLB's free "Find My Licensed Contractor" feature to download a list of contractors in their area.

    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 almost 290,000 contractors in California, and is regarded as one of the leading consumer protection agencies in the United States. In fiscal year 2015-16, CSLB helped recover about $41 million in ordered restitution for consumers.


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