CSLB Press Release - 12/18/12
Father-Son Team Busted in CSLB Unlicensed Contractor Sting in Glendale
Repeat offenders and illegal advertisers targeted in undercover operation
SACRAMENTO — A father-son team was among eight people caught in a Contractors State License Board (CSLB) undercover sting operation at a vacant hardware store in Glendale on December 12-13, 2012.
Jose Antonio Giraldo Zelada and his son Jose Miguel Giraldo were both arrested for contracting without a license and illegal advertising, but only after they attempted to flee the location in their vehicle. The elder Giraldo was taken into custody for a $30,000 arrest warrant relating to a CSLB sting in 2007. The younger Giraldo had a previous conviction for carrying a loaded gun and spousal abuse, and may be federally prosecuted and deported. Both were caught in a CSLB sting in Lancaster last June.
Another unlicensed individual, Luis Dominguez, offered undercover investigators a bid for concrete work and showed a photo album filled with examples of work he'd done for "famous people," including a shot of him posing shoulder-to-shoulder with a well-known rock guitarist.
"Don't be rushed into a decision just because of a smooth sales pitch or impressive photographs of completed projects," said CSLB Registrar Steve Sands. "Take the time to do your homework. Start by going online at www.CheckTheLicenseFirst.com, and make sure you only hire licensed contractors."
The sting was conducted by members of CSLB's Statewide Investigative Fraud Team (SWIFT), with assistance from the Glendale Police Department, Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office, and U.S. Homeland Security/Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), who primarily targeted individuals with illegal advertisements.
Five of the eight cited were targeted from ads on craigslist.org. SWIFT investigators posed as property owners and got bids for interior/exterior painting, floor covering, and concrete work.
The eight were given notices to appear (NTA) in Superior Court and are expected to be charged with contracting without a license (Business and Professions Code section 7028). In California, all home improvement jobs totaling $500 or more in combined labor and material costs must be performed by CSLB-licensed contractors. First-conviction penalties for contracting without a license include up to six months in jail and/or up to $5,000 in fines; penalties increase with successive convictions.
All but one may face an additional misdemeanor charge of illegal advertising (Business and Professions Code section 7027.1). State law requires that contractors include their license number in all print, broadcast, and online advertisements. Those without a license can list their services as long as the ad states they are not state-licensed contractors, and the job is under $500 in combined labor and material costs.
The eight are scheduled to appear in Los Angeles County Superior Court on either January 23 or 24, 2013.
See if you know anyone who was busted at this link...
http://www.cslb.ca.gov/GeneralInformation/Newsroom/PressReleases/PressReleases2012/News20121218.asp
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