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Illegal Contractors Crossed the Line In South Lake Tahoe Sting
CSLB cites 10 individuals on unlicensed contracting charges; four were from Nevada
SACRAMENTO – This week, Contractors State License Board (CSLB) investigators were in El Dorado County’s most populous city to teach a few people a lesson about California contracting laws. During an undercover sting operation, 10 suspects were given a citation for alleged illegal contracting violations. Four of the individuals caught are Nevada residents.
On Tuesday, June 14, 2016, investigators from CSLB’s Statewide Investigative Fraud Team (SWIFT) joined forces with the El Dorado County District Attorney’s Office in attempt to tackle the underground economy. Posing as homeowners, SWIFT investigators invited suspected unlicensed contractors to place bids on home improvement projects for a single-family home near the Tahoe Paradise Golf Course. Suspects placed bids ranging from $1,150 for interior painting to $6,000 for tile installation.
The 10 persons who submitted work bids were cited on a misdemeanor charge of contracting without a state license (Business and Professions Code (BPC) section (§) 7028). It is against California law to contract for home improvement or construction jobs valued at $500 or more for labor and materials without a state-issued contractor license. Penalties for first-time unlicensed contracting convictions include up to six months in jail and/or up to $5,000 in fines.
One of the out-of-state suspects is licensed to perform contracting work in Nevada. However, he was aware that he needed a California contractor license to perform work in this state. SWIFT investigators informed him of the California and Nevada reciprocity agreement, which simplifies the application process for contractors licensed in one state who want to seek a license in the other.
“It is very common to find contractors from bordering states looking for work in California,” said CSLB Registrar Cindi Christenson. “We have a reciprocity agreement with both Nevada and Arizona, so if contractors are working in both states, it is in their best interest to take advantage of the simplified process.”
Seven of the 10 were also given a Notice to Appear in court for illegal advertising. Contracting law requires unlicensed contractors to state in all advertising that they are not licensed (BPC §7027.1).
Two of the suspects may also face a felony charge for intentionally using a license number that did not belong to them without permission. That charge carries a fine of up to $10,000 and/or up to one year in state prison or county jail (BPC §7027.3).
Suspects are scheduled to appear on August 5, 2016, in El Dorado County Superior Court. (MAP)
NOTE: All suspects are presumed innocent until their case is resolved.
South Lake Tahoe |
||
SUSPECT NAME CITY OF RESIDENCE |
LICENSE CLASSIFICATION | ALLEGED VIOLATION |
---|---|---|
Roy Keith Boyle South Lake Tahoe |
C-54 – Ceramic and Mosaic Tile | Contracting without a license, Illegal advertising |
Lee Arthur Pollum South Lake Tahoe |
C-6 – Cabinet, Millwork and Finish Carpentry |
Contracting without a license, Illegal advertising |
Justin Charles Fields Wellington, NV |
C-54 – Ceramic and Mosaic Tile | Contracting without a license, Illegal advertising Fraudulent use of an incorrect license number |
Raymond Dorsey Jr. Carson City, NV |
D-49 – Tree Service | Contracting without a license |
Jeffrey Allen Oneil South Lake Tahoe |
C-13 – Fencing | Contracting without a license, Illegal advertising |
Anthony Hemenes III South Lake Tahoe |
C-33 – Painting and Decorating | Contracting without a license, Illegal advertising Fraudulent use of an incorrect license number |
Juan M. Canales Baltazar Venice |
D-49 – Tree Service | Contracting without a license, Illegal advertising |
Eduardo Antonio Sandoval-Martinez Carson City, NV |
C-54 – Ceramic and Mosaic Tile | Contracting without a license |
Rick Williams Madden South Lake Tahoe |
D-12 – Synthetic Products | Contracting without a license, Illegal advertising |
Jose Eduardo Valverde Sparks, NV |
C-15 – Flooring and Floor Covering | Contracting without a license |
CSLB urges all California consumers to follow these tips before hiring a home improvement contractor:
- Verify the contractor's license online at www.cslb.ca.gov or www.CheckTheLicenseFirst.com, or via CSLB’s automated phone system at 1-800-321-CSLB (2752)
- Ask to see a photo identification to verify the contractor’s identity
- Don't pay more than 10 percent down or $1,000, whichever is less
- Don't pay in cash, or let the payments get ahead of the work
- Get at least three bids and insist on a written contract before your project begins
Visit CSLB’s website for more 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 2014-15, CSLB helped recover nearly $68 million in ordered restitution for consumers.
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