Illegal contract bidding struck down after sting operation in Lemoore

LEMOORE, Calif. (KSEE/KGPE) – An undercover sting cognition successful Lemoore recovered 9 unlicensed workers allegedly taking portion successful amerciable declaration bidding.

The July 30 and 31 associated cognition betwixt the Contractors State License Board (CSLB) and the Kings County District Attorney’s Office aimed to find unlicensed workers bidding connected projects implicit $500.

"Our main nonsubjective successful carrying retired sting operations is to support consumers from unqualified contractors," CSLB Registrar David Fogt said. "That’s wherefore we impulse everyone to ever verify a contractor's licence and get astatine slightest 3 bids earlier starting immoderate location betterment project.”

According to CSLB, immoderate bid implicit $500 requires a contractor’s license. Unlicensed workers who judge jobs implicit this magnitude tin person misdemeanor charges, up to six months successful jail, and a $5,000 transgression fine. Those who are operating without a licence tin pb to administrative fines of up to $15,000.

The cognition besides recovered that 2 of the workers asked customers for excessive down payments. Contractors tin lone inquire for 10% of the full declaration terms oregon $1,000, whichever is less.

In summation to accepting and creating amerciable contracts, CSLB says the workers caught successful this sting cognition whitethorn look administrative oregon transgression charges for illegally advertizing operation services without a valid license. Unlicensed workers tin advertise for operation services if they intelligibly authorities they are not licensed and the full worth of their work does not transcend $500.

Officials accidental the amerciable projects enactment to remainder during this cognition included factual work, landscaping, and histrion service. The highest bid received was a $7,000 coating project.

According to CSLB, each of the 9 workers volition person to look successful court.

Those funny successful learning much astir the licensing process tin be a CSLB virtual workshop, disposable successful some English and Spanish.