Seaside contractor pleads guilty to fraud, labor violations

A Seaside contractor arrested earlier this year has pled to a felony count of fraudulent use of a contractor’s license.

Jose Valdez, 41, also pled to one misdemeanor count of failing to secure workers’ compensation insurance. Valdez also was found to be in violation of probation stemming from a 2010 case involving similar charges.

Valdez was doing business as Angel Valdez Landscaping. In March, a Contractor State License Board investigator discovered Valdez’ employees working on a landscape remodel at a small condominium association in Seaside. Valdez had informed the association that he was a licensed contractor who had been in business for twenty years, but the investigator recognized Valdez from the 2010 case.

Prosecutors said Valdez admitted he was using his business license number and did not have a contractor’s license. He also had employees but did not have workers’ compensation insurance.

Valdez could face up to two or three years in state prison on the felony count when he is sentenced in November.