CSLB Monterey County Sting Shows That Unlicensed Contractors Don't Only Go After Small Home Improvement Jobs

    One of 19 cited for contracting without license gave bid for more than $30,000

    SACRAMENTO – Some people argue that unlicensed contractors only go after smaller home improvement jobs. But, an undercover sting operation this week in Salinas shows that isn't necessarily the case. In this instance, hiring an unlicensed contractor could cost you tens of thousands of dollars.

    In the operation, conducted by the Contractors State License Board (CSLB), the Monterey County District Attorney's Office and the California Department of Insurance, one of the suspects gave a bid for almost $31,000. That's well above the $500 threshold (materials and labor) when a state license becomes necessary.

    In all, 19 suspected unlicensed contractors were caught and could now face a misdemeanor criminal charge of contracting without a license (Business and Professions Code (BPC) §7028(a)). First-conviction penalties include up to six months in jail and/or up to $5,000 in fines.

    The sting took place in a single-family home in the Creekbridge area of Salinas, and involved investigators posing as homeowners looking for help with home improvement projects. Bids ranged from $1,000 for general contracting work to the nearly $31,000 for tile flooring.

    "Just because someone is asking for tens of thousands of dollars to do a job, doesn't mean they have the skills, expertise, or insurance required to get the project done right," said CSLB Registrar David Fogt. "It's one of the reasons we always remind homeowners to get at least three bids and make sure the person they hire is licensed." Fortunately, consumers can easily check on a contractor's license before calling them out for a bid.

    Consumers can check out a contractor by running an "Instant License Check" on CSLB's website. They can also get a list of licensed contractors in their area by using the "Find My Licensed Contractor" feature to search by city or ZIP code.

    Seventeen suspects may face a second misdemeanor charge for illegal advertising. Licensed contractors must display their license number in all advertisements and 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.

    One of the suspects, Guisueppe Joseph Davi, was not only cited for the two contracting-related violations, he also was arrested and taken to jail with an active warrant for Driving Under the Influence.

    Nine other suspects may also be charge with asking for an excessive down payment (BPC §7159.5 (a)(3)(b)). The legal limit for a down payment is 10 percent of the contract price or $1,000, whichever is lower.

    CSLB reminds customers to follow these tips:

    • Verify the license owner, business name and address and ask for a picture I.D.
    • Get three bids and check references
    • Get a written contract
    • Do not pay more than 10 percent down or $1,000, whichever is less
    • Do not let payments get ahead of the work
    • Do not pay cash

    All suspects were ordered to appear on July 24 at the Monterey County Superior Court, 240 Church Street, Suite 320, Salinas CA 93901 (MAP).

    NOTE: All suspects are presumed innocent until their case is resolved.

    SALINAS DAY 1 – MAY 28, 2019
    SUSPECT NAME
    CITY OF RESIDENCE    		 LICENSE CLASSIFICATION ALLEGED VIOLATION
    Jose Angel Fernandez
    Monterey    		 C-33 Painting Contracting Without a License,
    Illegal Advertising,
    Excessive Down Payment
    Nolyn Gene Latham
    Prunedale    		 C-13 Fencing Contracting Without a License,
    Illegal Advertising,
    No Workers' Compensation,
    Excessive Down Payment
    Juan Jose Herrera Diaz
    Marina    		 C-27 Landscaping Contracting Without a License,
    Illegal Advertising,
    No Workers' Compensation,
    Excessive Down Payment
    Salvatore Sardina
    Seaside    		 C-54 Tile Contracting Without a License,
    Illegal Advertising
    John Michael Mattos
    Santa Cruz    		 C-12 Grading Contracting Without a License,
    Illegal Advertising,
    Excessive Down Payment
    Blake Reed Paxton
    Monterey    		 C-27 Landscaping Contracting Without a License,
    Illegal Advertising
    Giuseppe Joseph Davi
    Carmel    		 C-33 Painting Contracting Without a License,
    Illegal Advertising
    Vittorio Joseph Lombardo
    Salinas    		 C-33 Painting Contracting Without a License,
    Illegal Advertising
    Gary Martin Toet
    Carmel    		 B-General Contracting Without a License,
    Illegal Advertising
    Victor Hugo Betancourt Monares
    Gilroy    		 C-36 Plumbing Contracting Without a License,
    Illegal Advertising
    Salvador Garcia Mijangos
    Seaside    		 C-27 Landscaping Contracting Without a License,
    Illegal Advertising,
    Excessive Down Payment
    SALINAS DAY 2 – MAY 29, 2019
    SUSPECT NAME
    CITY OF RESIDENCE    		 LICENSE CLASSIFICATION ALLEGED VIOLATION
    Leobardo Pablo Perez Bucio
    Marina    		 C-27 Landscaping Contracting Without a License,
    Illegal Advertising
    Juan Morales Campos
    Watsonville    		 C-13 Fencing Contracting Without a License,
    Illegal Advertising,
    Excessive Down Payment
    Francisco Javier Vazquez Viayra
    Watsonville    		 C-27 Landscaping Contracting Without a License,
    Illegal Advertising
    Terry Lee Mann
    Seaside    		 C-13 Fencing Contracting Without a License,
    Excessive Down Payment
    Joseph William Love
    Pacific Grove    		 C-13 Fencing Contracting Without a License,
    Excessive Down Payment
    Barrett Edward Vorhis
    Seaside    		 C-15 Flooring Contracting Without a License,
    Illegal Advertising
    Felix Pineda Mendez
    Salinas    		 C-15 Flooring Contracting Without a License,
    Illegal Advertising,
    Excessive Down Payment
    Joshua Lynn Grimes
    Seaside    		 C-10 Electric 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 almost 290,000 contractors in California and is regarded as one of the leading consumer protection agencies in the United States. In fiscal year 2017-18, CSLB helped recover over $50 million in ordered restitution for consumers.


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