CSLB Update

On March 23^rd and 24^th 2010 nearly three dozen of the CSLB’s investigative Fraud Team (SWIFT) partnered with 15 law enforcement agencies to conduct sting operation throughout eleven cities in California. The operation targeted unlicensed contractors and those licensed contractors that do not carry workers compensation insurance. The operation was the biggest to have ever been conducted by the CSLB in there 81 year history. During the two day period of the sting over 161 people were arrested. The operation was conducted in the following Counties, Sonoma, Santa Clara, Sacramento, El Dorado, Madera, Kern, Santa Barbara, Los Angeles, Orange and San Bernardino. Those that were arrested were issued a notice to appear and will face misdemeanor charges which could include up to six months in jail and/or a fine up to $5,000.00 for first offence. The CSLB investigators posed as homeowners and invited the unlicensed or underinsured contractors to bid various construction jobs including but not limited to landscaping, tree trimming, roofing, masonry, concrete, tile, and painting. CSLB Registrar Steve Sands had the following to say regarding the operation.

“Homeowners need to be aware of the risk they take when they hire someone who is not licensed to do work in there home. What seems to most like a good deal almost always ends up costing a lot more. Many of these phony contractors are people you really don’t want inside your house or around your children.”

Be aware of who you are hiring to perform your construction work. Make sure that they are adequately insured. If your contractor does not carry workers compensation be aware that if one of their workers injure themselves that you, the homeowner, could be held liable.