Unlicensed Contractors Targeted in Sting Conducted in a La Jolla Home

A sting operation at a La Jolla home caught 23 people contracting without a license and various related charges, including two that had revoked licenses and one that had already been on probation for contracting without a license, the Contractors State License Board announced Friday.

Members of the board’s Statewide Investigative Fraud Team posed as homeowners who invited suspected unlicensed operators to bid on home-improvement projects including electrical, tile, painting, landscaping and concrete work. In California, contracting for home-improvement services for more than $500 requires a state contracting license.

Those who bid more than $500 during the two-day sting on May 25-26 received notices to appear in court for contracting without a license.

Caught in the sting included:

• James Ariel Rivera-Siron, of San Marcos, who was taken to jail on an outstanding $27,000 warrant for drug possession, and will have to appear in court for contracting without a license and illegal advertising.
• Rogelio Soto, Jr., of Spring Valley, who illegally bid on a concrete project during the second day of the La Jolla sting, according to the CSLB. Soto pleaded guilty in September 2006 to charges of contracting without a license. He was fined $225 and placed on probation for three years.
• Lonnie Allen LeBlanc of La Mesa, who had his electrical contractor license revoked in September 2005 for failure to comply with citations on various home-improvement contract violations, pay for materials or services, charged high down payments and payments exceeding the work value.

“This sting operation sends a loud and clear message that violation of state consumer protection laws will not be tolerated by CSLB or its partnering agencies,” said CSLB Registrar Steve Sands. “Homeowners should also note that it is well worth the couple of minutes it takes to check CSLB’s website to make sure that the contractor you are going to hire is licensed and has workers’ compensation insurance for their employees.”

Since 2005, anybody applying for a contractor license or adding a contractor license classification has been required to submit fingerprints for a criminal background check through the Department of Justice. Contractors are also required to have workers’ compensation insurance for each of their employees to protect homeowners from liability if an injury occurs on their property.

The San Diego Police Department, San Diego County District Attorney’s Office, and California Department of Insurance assisted in the operation.

City News Service contributed to this report.