CSLB Goes Undercover to Sting 11 in Woodland

Bill Leys
The Deck Expert
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Central Coast Waterproofing
Ca Lic 890269
———- 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

Landscaping

Contracting without a license, illegal advertising

Brian David Zenger

Esparto

Fencing

Contracting without a license, illegal advertising

Lester Vernell Green

Woodland

Ceramic and Mosaic Tile

Contracting without a license, illegal advertising

Robert John Wachs

Knights Landing

Painting

Contracting without a license, on probation for past conviction for contracting without a license.

Abel Ortiz Michel

Woodland

Fencing

Contracting without a license, illegal advertising

Antonio Perez Reyes

Sacramento

Painting

Contracting without a license

Antonio Romero Mendoza

Woodland

Flooring

Contracting without a license, illegal advertising

Carlos Gonzalez, Jr.

West Sacramento

Painting

Contracting without a license, illegal advertising

Jesse Lee Rodriguez

Sacramento

Painting

Contracting without a license, illegal advertising

Jesse Muniz

Woodland

Painting

Contracting without a license, illegal advertising

Mario Alberto Gonzalez-Estrada

Woodland

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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