Bill Leys
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Central Coast Waterproofing
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---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: "Contractors State License Board" <CSLBINFO@cslb.ca.gov>
Date: Jun 21, 2011 11:39 AM
Subject: CSLB Goes Undercover to Sting 11 in Woodland
To: <CSLB-PR@listserv.dca.ca.gov>
www.cslb.ca.gov | CheckTheLicenseFirst.com | SeniorScamStopper.com
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: June 21, 2011
CSLB #11-20
CSLB Media Contacts
Rick Lopes
Chief of Public Affairs
916.255.4161
rlopes@cslb.ca.gov
Melanie Bedwell
Public Information Officer
916.255.4717
mbedwell@cslb.ca.gov
Venus Stromberg
Public Information Officer
Spanish Language Media
916.255.1831
vstromberg@cslb.ca.gov
CSLB Goes Undercover to Sting 11 in Woodland
Repeat offender among those caught contracting without a license in Yolo County
SACRAMENTO – The Contractors State License Board (CSLB), in partnership with the Yolo County District Attorney's Office and Department of Insurance, caught 11 unlicensed operators in an undercover sting in Woodland on June 8, 2011.
Members of CSLB's Statewide Investigative Fraud Team (SWIFT) posed as homeowners and invited suspected phony contractors to a vacant home to bid on home improvement projects, including landscaping, fencing, and painting. If the bid totaled more than $500 in labor and materials and the suspect was not state-licensed, they were given a notice to appear (NTA) in court to face misdemeanor charges of contracting without a license. Some also face misdemeanor charges of illegal advertising. State law requires contractors to put their license numbers in all advertisements. Those who are not licensed may advertise to perform jobs valued at least than $500, but their ads must state that they are not licensed.
Robert John Wachs, who received an NTA for contracting without a license after he bid on a painting project, is no stranger to CSLB stings. Wachs, 57, of Knights Landing, has a pending court case in October 2011, on charges of contracting without a license after he was caught during the CSLB Fall Blitz in September 2009.
"Consumers need to be aware of the risks they take when working with the unlicensed," said Registrar Steve Sands. "This sting operation is a prime example of how violations of state consumer protection laws will not be tolerated by CSLB and its partnering agencies."
CSLB urges consumers to follow these helpful tips before hiring anyone to do work on their home or property:
· Hire only licensed contractors and ask to see their license and a photo ID to verify their identity.
· Always check the license number on CSLB's website at www.cslb.ca.gov or www.CheckTheLicenseFirst.com to make sure the license is in good standing.
· Don't pay more than 10 percent or $1,000, whichever is less, as a down payment. There is an exception for about two dozen licensees who carry special bonds to protect consumers. These exceptions are noted on CSLB's website.
· Don't pay in cash, and don't let payments get ahead of the work.
· Get at least three bids, check references, and get a written contract.
The following suspects are scheduled for arraignment at the Yolo County Superior Court at 213 Third Street in Woodland on August 31, 2011 at 8:30 a.m.:
SUSPECT'S NAME AND CITY
AGE
WORK
CLASS
VIOLATIONS
Richard Charles Bauer
Esparto
70
Landscaping
Contracting without a license, illegal advertising
Brian David Zenger
Esparto
29
Fencing
Contracting without a license, illegal advertising
Lester Vernell Green
Woodland
57
Ceramic and Mosaic Tile
Contracting without a license, illegal advertising
Robert John Wachs
Knights Landing
57
Painting
Contracting without a license, on probation for past conviction for contracting without a license.
Abel Ortiz Michel
Woodland
46
Fencing
Contracting without a license, illegal advertising
Antonio Perez Reyes
Sacramento
52
Painting
Contracting without a license
Antonio Romero Mendoza
Woodland
40
Flooring
Contracting without a license, illegal advertising
Carlos Gonzalez, Jr.
West Sacramento
51
Painting
Contracting without a license, illegal advertising
Jesse Lee Rodriguez
Sacramento
36
Painting
Contracting without a license, illegal advertising
Jesse Muniz
Woodland
30
Painting
Contracting without a license, illegal advertising
Mario Alberto Gonzalez-Estrada
Woodland
34
General Building
Contracting without a license, illegal advertising
The Contractors State License Board operates under the umbrella of the California Department of Consumer Affairs. More information and publications about hiring contractors are available on the CSLB website or by calling 800-321-CSLB (2752). You can also sign up for CSLB email alerts at www.cslb.ca.gov. CSLB licenses and regulates California's more than 300,000 contractors, and is regarded as one of the leading consumer protection agencies in the United States. In fiscal year 2009-10, CSLB helped recover nearly $42 million in ordered restitution for consumers.
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