Unlicensed contractors do not rank high on most people's threat level.

But the Kings County District Attorney's Office wants to protect everyone involved with contract work: Those with and without licenses, and also the consumers who pay for their services.

Earlier this month, investigators conducted a two-day-long undercover operation to expose illicit laborers. The goal was to educate the unlicensed and remind them of the need to comply with state law.

"We're not trying to discourage unlicensed contractors from working," said Dennis Reed, DA investigator. "We just want to get them to follow the guidelines."

To that end, the people nabbed in the sting each received an information packet and were paired with an agent from the California State License Board.

"This isn't just about issuing citations," Reed said. "It's about compliance and consumer protection."

State law requires that any job costing more than $500 in labor and materials to be performed by a state-licensed contractor. The crime is only considered a misdemeanor offense, but the penalty can include up to a six-month jail sentence and a substantial fine.

Deputy District Attorney Kathy Ciuffini said it could be bad news for a consumer if an unlicensed contractor is hired and takes advantage of the situation.

"There is little recourse out there for the consumer if an unlicensed contractor takes off with their money," she said. "In that case, the victim has to find the contractor, then start a civil suit and hope they can get their money back."

Licensed contractors, on the other hand, are bonded and insured and give the consumer more options if they aren't satisfied with the work or feel they've been cheated or ripped off, Ciuffini said.

There's also the issue of safety. Both times the District Attorney's Office conducted these operations, registered sex offenders have shown up with an offer to work. The CSLB performs background checks on all potential applicants and will not issue a license to a person who could pose a potential threat to a homeowner.

"We hope this is making an impact and believe that the consumers in this area should feel good about it," Reed said.

The need for this kind of operation became apparent when several local business owners contacted Reed and complained about the sheer number of unlicensed contractors working in the area.

This led to a joint operation between the DA's Office and the CSLB in July. Undercover officers posed as homeowners and tried to solicit people for work based on their Craigslist and newspaper advertisements. At the end of the day, 12 people were cited for contracting without a license.

"Many people told us that they've just been too lazy to get their license," Reed said. "We want to show them that this can lead to a lot of trouble and encourage them to get into compliance."

The most recent operation was held between Jan. 12 and 13 to pursue additional violators in the area. This time, 16 people were cited for violations of contracting without a license, false advertising and soliciting excessive down payments.

Still, Reed said at least 90 percent of the people nabbed in the sting left with "a good attitude." The investigators also did not see any repeat offenders show up from their previous operation.

"Our major goal is not to arrest people, but to educate them and help them get their classification so they won't run into this kind of trouble again," Reed said. "It's in the consumer's best interest to find these kind of people."

The District Attorney's Office will continue to fight this "underground economy" of unlicensed contract work in the future. They plan to conduct additional stings throughout the calendar year, Reed said.

The investigation was assisted by the CSLB's Statewide Investigative Fraud Team, or SWIFT, and the California Department of Insurance.

"This sting should serve as a warning to consumers who might be taken in by promises of cheaper work performed by someone who isn't licensed," said CSLB Registrar Steve Sands. "In reality, you might not pay more by hiring a state-licensed contractor; plus, you have the added assurance of knowing that your contractor meets trade standards, and is bonded and insured to protect property owners from liability."

--16 cited for violations

The California State License Board released the following list naming the people cited in the January sting of unlicensed contractors: Darrell Manuel Knox, 51; Joaquin Quijada, 37; Antonio Gonzalez, 34; Jehu Joel Mejorado, 30; Steve C. Marks, 40; Russell E. Mayfield, 50; Jorge Sigaran, 26; Arthur Wayne Medina, 62; Bryan Matthew Lovenburg, 24; Jose Luis Angulo, 51; Joe Herrera, 39; Sixto Francisco Garcia, 24; Guadalupe Ornelas Jr., 26; Jaser Moini, 32; Sergio Vargas Cardenas, 54, and Jose Campos III, 44.

The reporter can be reached at 583-2425. To comment on this story, go to www.HanfordSentinel.com.

(Jan. 30, 2010)