10 cited for alleged illegal contracting violations during South Lake Tahoe sting

Contractors State License Board (CSLB) investigators working with investigators from the El Dorado County District Attorney's Office cited ten men posing as licensed contractors during a recent sting operation.

Four of the individuals caught are Nevada residents, and the other six are South Lake Tahoe locals.

Posing as homeowners, investigators invited suspected unlicensed contractors to place bids on home improvement projects for a single-family home near the Tahoe Paradise Golf Course. Suspects placed bids ranging from $1,150 for interior painting to $6,000 for tile installation.

The 10 persons who submitted work bids were cited on a misdemeanor charge of contracting without a state license. It is against California law to contract for home improvement or construction jobs valued at $500 or more for labor and materials without a state-issued contractor license. Penalties for first-time unlicensed contracting convictions include up to six months in jail and/or up to $5,000 in fines.

One of the out-of-state suspects is licensed to perform contracting work in Nevada. However, he was aware that he needed a California contractor license to perform work in this state. Investigators informed him of the California and Nevada reciprocity agreement, which simplifies the application process for contractors licensed in one state who want to seek a license in the other.

“It is very common to find contractors from bordering states looking for work in California,” said CSLB Registrar Cindi Christenson. “We have a reciprocity agreement with both Nevada and Arizona, so if contractors are working in both states, it is in their best interest to take advantage of the simplified process.”

Seven of the 10 were also given a Notice to Appear in court for illegal advertising. Contracting law requires unlicensed contractors to state in all advertising that they are not licensed.

Two of the suspects may also face a felony charge for intentionally using a license number that did not belong to them without permission. That charge carries a fine of up to $10,000 and/or up to one year in state prison or county jail.

Those cited:

Roy Keith Boyle of South Lake Tahoe, Contracting without a license and Illegal advertising. License qualification he didn't have: C-54 – Ceramic and Mosaic Tile

Lee Arthur Pollum of South Lake Tahoe, Contracting without a license, Illegal advertising. License qualification he didn't have: C-6 – Cabinet, Millwork and Finish Carpentry.

Justin Charles Fields of Wellington, NV, Contracting without a license, Illegal advertising, Fraudulent use of an incorrect license number. License qualification he didn't have: C-54 – Ceramic and Mosaic Tile.

Raymond Dorsey Jr. of Carson City, NV, Raymond Dorsey Jr. License qualification he didn't have: D-49 – Tree Service

Jeffrey Allen Oneil of South Lake Tahoe, Contracting without a license, Illegal advertising. License qualification he didn't have: C-13 – Fencing.

Anthony Hemenes III of South Lake Tahoe, Contracting without a license, Illegal advertising, Fraudulent use of an incorrect license number. License qualification he didn't have: C-33 – Painting and Decorating.

Juan M. Canales Baltazar of Venice, CA, Contracting without a license, Illegal advertising. License qualification he didn't have: D-49 – Tree Service.

Eduardo Antonio Sandoval-Martinez of Carson City, NV, Contracting without a license. License qualification he didn't have: C-54 – Ceramic and Mosaic Tile.

Rick Williams Madden of South Lake Tahoe, Contracting without a license, Illegal advertising. License qualification he didn't have: D-12 – Synthetic Products.

Jose Eduardo Valverde of Sparks, NV, Contracting without a license. License qualification he didn't have: C-15 – Flooring and Floor Covering.

The sting was on June 14 and the suspects were cited. They had a court date posted on the citations of August 5 and a "LTA" (Letter to Appear) dated September 16. So far, Madden, Dorsey and Valverde have appeared in court, have been booked and released.