Local unlicensed contractors busted
18 cited for misdemeanor violations during two-day Cayucos sting operation
– A Contractors State License Board (CSLB) sting operation held in Cayucos on Aug. 17-18 drew contractors from around San Luis Obispo County, and 18 were cited on illegal contracting charges.
Responding to reports about unlicensed contracting activity in the area, CSLB’s Statewide Investigative Fraud Team (SWIFT) set up the sting at a single-family home in the north part of town. California Highway Patrol investigators assisted with the operation.
Undercover investigators used an online advertising site to contact most of the suspected unlicensed contractors. Playing the role of homeowners, investigators sought estimates for fencing, landscaping, and painting jobs. Bids mostly ranged from several thousand dollars to $9,000 for a deck and demolition project. In California, offering to perform construction work exceeding $500 or more in materials and/or labor requires a state contractor license. Once a quote higher than the legal limit was given, investigators revealed their true identity, informed bidders that they had violated state contracting law, and issued them citations to appear in court.
“CSLB stages sting operations throughout the year, in smaller areas such as Cayucos as well as larger metropolitan cities,” said CSLB Registrar Cindi Christenson. “You never know where our investigators will pop up – we want to retain that element of surprise and let everyone know that CSLB is battling unlicensed contracting in every part of the state.”
All 18 persons cited – 10 on the first day and eight on the second – are facing a misdemeanor charge of contracting without a state license. First-conviction penalties for contracting without a license include up to six months in jail and/or up to $5,000 in fines. Penalties are more severe with each successive violation.
Of the 18 cited, 17 also were written up for illegal advertising, for failing to state in their advertising that they were not licensed. An additional charge of demanding excessive down payments was lodged against five of those cited. Under most circumstances, it’s illegal for contractors to ask for more than 10 percent down or $1,000, whichever is less, for a construction project.
Those cited are scheduled to appear at 8 a.m., Oct. 24-25, in San Luis Obispo County Superior Court.
- Casey Ray Bradshaw of Arroyo Grande who was selling painting and/or decorating services was cited for contracting without a license, and illegal advertising.
- Bradley Yetter of Atascadero who was selling fencing was cited for contracting without a license, and illegal advertising.
- James Norman Shoemaker of Nipomo who was offering painting and/or decorating services and was cited for contracting without a license, illegal advertising, and charging an excessive down payment.
- Dennis Paul Newton of Grover Beach who was offering general building services was cited for contracting without a license, and illegal advertising.
- Dominic Anthony Sepulveda of Templeton who was offering general building services was cited for contracting without a license, and illegal advertising.
- Robyrt Clehr of San Luis Obispo who was offering landscaping services was cited for contracting without a license, illegal advertising, and charging an excessive down payment.
- Angel DeJesus Montar-Flores of Santa Maria who was offering general building services was cited for contracting without a license, and illegal advertising.
- Thomas Flanigan of San Luis Obispo who was selling painting and/or decorating services was cited for contracting without a license, and illegal advertising.
- Keith David Ellis of Paso Robles who was selling painting and/or decorating services was cited for contracting without a license, and illegal advertising.
- Rodney Troy Brock of Atascadero who was selling fencing was cited for contracting without a license, and illegal advertising.
- Artemio Medina-Ambrosio of Santa Maria who was selling fencing was cited for contracting without a license, and illegal advertising.
- Douglas Edward Smith of Cayucos who was offering general building services was cited for contracting without a license, and illegal advertising.
- Aaron Mathew Carvalho of Atascadero who was selling painting and/or decorating services was cited for contracting without a license, and illegal advertising.
- Shane David Arnold of Santa Maria who was selling painting and/or decorating services was cited for contracting without a license, and illegal advertising.
- Russell Walter Holguin of Grover Beach who was selling painting and/or decorating services was cited for contracting without a license, illegal advertising, and charging an excessive down payment.
- Rodrigo Vasquez Teniente Jr. of Arroyo Grande was offering concrete and was cited for contracting without a license, illegal advertising, and charging an excessive down payment.
- Nathan Daniel Witzig of Oceano who was offering painting and/or decorating services and plumping was cited for contracting without a license.
- Eric John Hanson of Arroyo Grande who was offering general building services was cited for contracting without a license, illegal advertising, and charging an excessive down payment.
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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