CSLB Catches Several Contractors with Revoked, Expired Licenses

in Rancho Cordova

Property owners must check licenses before hiring to avoid financial, safety risks

     SACRAMENTO – Three people who knew better than to perform contracting work without a state license turned up at a Contractors State License Board (CSLB) undercover sting operation in Rancho Cordova on June 6, 2013. Unlicensed contractors pose huge financial risks for homeowners who hire people that have not been qualified to perform the work, haven’t undergone a criminal background check, and do not carry workers’ compensation or general liability insurance if injury or damage occurs on the property. Unlicensed operators operate in the underground economy and create unfair business competition for law-abiding contractors.

     CSLB’s Statewide Investigative Fraud Team (SWIFT), along with investigators from the Department of Consumer Affairs’ Division of Investigation and Sacramento County District Attorney’s Office, cited seven individuals who illegally bid for landscaping, concrete, painting, fencing, tree, and plumbing work at a one-story residence.

     “Contractors who have lost their license are fully aware that they are contracting illegally,” said CSLB Registrar Steve Sands. “If you disregard contracting laws, you’ll be caught and held to answer in Superior Court.”

     One of the former licensees, Anthony Eugene Bodiford, of Woodland, doing business as Planet Rock Landscape, was arrested on misdemeanor charges of contracting without a license and illegal advertising after he submitted a bid for more than $8,000 to do fencing and landscape work. Contractors can only request a down payment of 10% of the total estimate, or $1000, whichever is less. Bodiford’s contractor license expired in 2011. Two others with revoked licenses went to the sting house but did not submit bids and will receive administrative citations for illegal contracting and advertising violations.

     Undercover CSLB investigators mostly used the online bulletin board craigslist.org to identify potential suspects. Property owners considering improvement projects always should consult CSLB’s online instant license check  to ensure that the contractor license is in good standing before hiring anyone to work in or around their home. In California, CSLB-licensed contractors are required for all home improvement jobs totaling $500 or more in combined labor and material costs.

     The seven people who received Notices to Appear in Superior Court all face misdemeanor charges of contracting without a license (Business and Professions Code section 7028). First-conviction penalties for contracting without a license include up to six months in jail and/or up to $5,000 in fines; subsequent convictions bring harsher penalties. Six were cited for illegal advertising (Business and Professions Code section 7027.1). State law requires that contractors include their license number in all advertisements, including online ads. Those without a license can advertise as long as the ad states that they are not a state-licensed contractor, and the combined total of a project’s labor and materials costs is under $500.

     Suspects must appear Sacramento County Superior Court, 720 Ninth St., Sacramento (MAP). A court date has not been determined.

NOTICES TO APPEAR:

SUSPECT NAME CITY OF RESIDENCE	LICENSE CLASSIFICATION	VIOLATIONS
Larry Robert Leonard Sacramento	C27 – Landscaping	Contracting without a license, Illegal advertising
Antonio Martinez Torres Sacramento	C8 – Concrete	Contracting without a license,  Illegal advertising
Hardeep Singh Sandhu Elk Grove	C27 – Landscaping	Contracting without a license, Illegal advertising, Unregistered salesperson
Anthony Eugene Bodiford Woodland	C13 – Fencing, C27 – Landscaping	Contracting without a license, Illegal advertising
Melvin George Coleman Sacramento	C13 – Fencing	Contracting without a license
Jose Amadeo Reyes Estrada Elk Grove	C61, D3 – Awnings	Contracting without a license, Illegal advertising
Cirilo Otento-Portento Sacramento	C13 – Fencing	Contracting without a license, Illegal advertising

     Visit CSLB’s website for tips about how to hire a contractor.

     The Contractors State License Board licenses and regulates California's 300,000 contractors, and is regarded as one of the leading consumer protection agencies in the United States. It operates under the umbrella of the California Department of Consumer Affairs.  In fiscal year 2011-12, CSLB helped recover nearly $36 million in ordered restitution for consumers. More information and publications about hiring contractors are available on CSLB’s website or by calling (800) 321-CSLB (2752). You also can sign up for CSLB email alerts. 

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