FROM:
Stephen Gibbons, Assistant District Attorney CONTACT PERSON:
Charlotte D. Chang, Deputy District Attorney
Economic Crimes Unit
(408) 792-2974 For release on March 17, 2005 FIFTY-NINE UNLICENSED CONTRACTORS CITED IN STING The Northern California Underground Economy Task Force (UETF) conducted undercover sting operations and on-site inspections of suspected unlicensed contractors throughout Santa Clara County on March 15 and 16, 2005. The sting operation was conducted from two houses in the City of San Jose. Investigators from the Contractors State License Board and the Santa Clara County District Attorney’s Office posed as homeowners and invited contractors to bid on remodeling projects. Unlicensed contractors provided bids on various projects including kitchen remodeling, concrete work, exterior painting, and landscaping. After the suspects bid on the job and it was determined they had no license, they were issued criminal citations. The sting operation resulted in the criminal citation of 59 people for contracting without a valid state license, six of whom were also cited for failing to obtain worker’s compensation insurance. By law, all contractors who perform work that totals $500 or more (labor and materials) must be licensed by the California Contractors State License Board (CSLB). Unlicensed contractors face potential sentences of up to six months in jail and/or $500 fine, and potential administrative fines of $200 to $15,000. Subsequent violations increase criminal penalties. Anyone with questions or complaints concerning a building contractor should contact the Contractors State License Board at the toll free number 1-800-321-CSLB or http://www.cslb.ca.gov/
Stephen Gibbons, Assistant District Attorney CONTACT PERSON:
Charlotte D. Chang, Deputy District Attorney
Economic Crimes Unit
(408) 792-2974 For release on March 17, 2005 FIFTY-NINE UNLICENSED CONTRACTORS CITED IN STING The Northern California Underground Economy Task Force (UETF) conducted undercover sting operations and on-site inspections of suspected unlicensed contractors throughout Santa Clara County on March 15 and 16, 2005. The sting operation was conducted from two houses in the City of San Jose. Investigators from the Contractors State License Board and the Santa Clara County District Attorney’s Office posed as homeowners and invited contractors to bid on remodeling projects. Unlicensed contractors provided bids on various projects including kitchen remodeling, concrete work, exterior painting, and landscaping. After the suspects bid on the job and it was determined they had no license, they were issued criminal citations. The sting operation resulted in the criminal citation of 59 people for contracting without a valid state license, six of whom were also cited for failing to obtain worker’s compensation insurance. By law, all contractors who perform work that totals $500 or more (labor and materials) must be licensed by the California Contractors State License Board (CSLB). Unlicensed contractors face potential sentences of up to six months in jail and/or $500 fine, and potential administrative fines of $200 to $15,000. Subsequent violations increase criminal penalties. Anyone with questions or complaints concerning a building contractor should contact the Contractors State License Board at the toll free number 1-800-321-CSLB or http://www.cslb.ca.gov/