News

Santa Cruz County contractor’s sting nets 15

Published November 7, 2014 8:38 pm

Investigators with several agencies including the Contractors State Licensing Board conducted an undercover sting operation in Aptos Wednesday and Thursday, with success. 15 persons were cited for violations involving contracting without a license.

Agencies including the Santa Cruz County District Attorney’s Office, investigators from the CSLB and detectives from the California Department of Insurance, fraud division, conducted an undercover ‘sting’ operation in Aptos.

On November 5 and 6, investigators posed as homeowners looking for exterior construction work on a residence. Those scheduled to come to the sting and provide an estimate were previously identified by investigators for advertising as a licensed contractor or failing to properly identify themselves as unlicensed contractors.

If the estimate exceeded the lawful amount, they were detained and given a citation. Also, any subject who reported having any employees and did not have proper Workers Compensation Insurance, was also cited.

Over the course of the two day investigation, 17 persons were contacted. 7 were cited for contractor license violations and workers compensation violations. An additional 8 were cited for various CSLB violations, including contracting without a license and fraudulent use of a contractor’s license or improper advertising.

All of the citations were for Misdemeanors violations.

This sting was conducted as part of an ongoing effort by the district attorney’s office and the State of California to protect consumers and maintain a safe and lawful construction industry in Santa Cruz County.

It is also an effort to minimize the underground economy that often undermines legitimate, licensed contractors that struggle to compete in an unfair playing field.

The follow list in the name of those cited.

CITATIONS ISSUED NAME

Business Name

CITY

OFFENSE(S)

Alvaro Martin Zuniga-Arias

Watsonville