CLEARLAKE OAKS — The Contractors State License Board (CSLB) caught 18 people last week in an undercover sting operation targeted at phony contractors. The operation, which was held in cooperation with the District Attorney”s Office, took place in Clearlake Oaks on Dec. 10.
A total of 18 people, hailing from all areas of the county, were contacted and/or issued a Notice to Appear (NTA) as a result of the operation. In addition, five administrative citations and two warning letters were also issued. According to Venus Stromberg, CSLB information officer, there are typically five to 25 people caught in any one sting operation.
“This is an ongoing problem in Lake County as it is throughout the state of California,” Stromberg said. “Generally our stings are conducted because of prior complaints. We will also look for people who advertise illegally. If you advertise without including your license number then that is an advertising violation.”
Members of CSLB”s Statewide Investigative Fraud Unit (SWIFT) reportedly posed as property owners and accepted bids on projects that included fencing, landscaping, roofing, painting and exterior trim. When the suspects offered bids of more than $500, they were detained and given a NTA for contracting without a license. California law requires a state contractor”s license for home improvement jobs that are valued at $500 or more in material and labor.
James Arthur Lee Jr., 36, of Lucerne, who reportedly had received two prior citations from the CSLB, received both a NTA as well as citation in last week”s sting operation. Lee allegedly submitted a bid for $9,000 for the labor portion of a fencing project.
All suspects apprehended in the operation were cited for contracting without a license while some received additional charges for illegal advertising and violation of Workman”s Comp requirements.
Individuals who received citations for Business and Professions Code violations in addition to Lee include Ronald Carl Peterson, 38, of Clearlake; Bruce Suter, 57, of Clearlake; Gary Benson, 57, of Hidden Valley; Ronald Trader, 48, of Cobb; Luis Rodriquez, 42, of Kelseyville; Jerry Heidebrect, 51, of Lower Lake; Jack Paulin, 52, of Lakeport; Stephen Cova, 40, of Clearlake; Blair Kirkpatrick, 41, of Lakeport; Benjamin Perry, 48, of Lakeport; Rodney Miller, 52, of Lower Lake; Richard Jensen, 39, of Kelseyville; Herson Prmando Marroquin, 39, of Nice; Mei Hing Dye, 61, of Lakeport; Jack Conrad, 59, of Kelseyville; and David Wilhelm, 52, of Lakeport.
The suspects who received NTAs will appear in Lake County Superior Court on Feb. 9, 2009 to answer to misdemeanor charges of contracting without a license. The charges carry a potential sentence of up to six months in jail and/or a $500 fine. The penalties increase if the suspects are caught a second time.
CSLB investigators conduct sting operations on a weekly basis somewhere within the state. According to Stromberg the last sting operation held in Lake County took place five years ago. The operations are spurred by concerns about predators who take advantage of those who are too trusting, especially senior citizens.
“Consumers don”t always realize the serious risks when they hire unlicensed people to work on their property,” CSLB Registrar Steve Sands said. “Just because these individuals are locals, it doesn”t mean they have neighborly intentions. Many of the suspects caught up in CSLB stings have a variety of other, more serious legal problems.”
According to the CSLB, unlicensed operators are also part of a multi-billion dollar underground economy that takes jobs away from legitimate contractors and tax dollars from schools, roads and law enforcement. Illegal operators never carry Workman”s Compensation or liability insurance. Homeowners have little recourse if something goes wrong with an unlicensed operator.
Licensed contractors are often underbid by these underground operators who don”t have the expense of insurance, payroll or safety requirements. To qualify for a license, a contractor must verify four years of journey-level experience in the trade, pass both a trade and license law examination and post a license bond.
The CSLB operates under the umbrella of the California Department of Consumer Affairs. The CSLB licenses and regulates California”s 316,000 contractors and investigates more than 20,000 complaints against contractors annually. In Fiscal Year 2006-07, the CSLB helped consumers get almost $45 million in ordered restitution.
Contact Denise Rockenstein at drockenstein@clearlakeobserver.com or call her directly at 994-6444, ext. 11.
