Nine Caught in Illegal Contracting Sting

An investigative team from the Contractors State License Board nabbed nine people  at a Glendora home for contracting bids without legal licenses last week during an undercover sting operation.

During the Dec. 13 operation, investigators posed as homeowners seeking bids for home improvement projects when they caught the nine men.

It was just one of the numerous sting operations that occur each week throughout southern California, said Venus Stromberg, spokesperson for the CSLB.

According to CSLB statistics, over the last two years more than 800 contractors in Los Angeles County were arrested or issued citations for illegal contracting operations.

"And that's just scratching the surface," said Stromberg.

State law requires any contractor who bids more than $500 for labor and materials to have a legal state license. Contractors should also have their state license number placed in all advertisements. If unlicensed contractors advertise for bids less than $500, they must indicate in their advertisements that they do not possess a legal license.

During a difficult economy, home improvement contractors have had to compete with legions of unlicensed workers promising low or discounted rates.

But hiring illegal contractors is extremely risky, said Stromberg.

"When you hire a contractor without a legal license, you may be dealing with someone without the appropriate skill level," said Stromberg. "If a contractor is hurt on your property during a job, you can be on the hook."

Yet, there are safety issues to consider when hiring an unlicensed contractor. Since 2005, state law has required criminal background checks for anyone applying for a new license.

During the sting operation in Glendora, one of the nine suspects – Richard Charles Rupp, 51, of Long Beach – was a registered sex offender.

"Homeowners need to be fully aware of who they are letting into their homes," said CSLB Registrar Steve Sands in a recent press release.

Another had a prior illegal licensing conviction and a $10,000 arrest warrant for theft.

"Bottom line, you might think you're saving money," said Stromberg, "But you may end up losing a lot more."

The suspects in the Dec. 13 operation – Jesus Rocha Solis, 56, of Pasadena; Fong Chong Lo, 60,  of Temple City; Berge Boyadijian, 48, of Sterling, Va.; Alex Sosa, 40, of Pasadena; Adrian Gaona Avalos, 40, of Rosemead; Richard Charles Rupp, 51, of Long Beach; Ronald Eugene Williams, IV, 44, of Temple City; Thomas Jacob Eby, 40, of Covina; and Luis Delgadillo-Parra, 22, of Pacoima – will be arraigned in the Los Angeles County Superior Court Feb. 15 and 16, 2011.

The CSLB offers these safety tips to homeowners when hiring contractors:

• Confirm the contractor's license by visiting www.cslb.ca.gov or by calling 1(800) 321-2752.
• Make sure the contractor has the necessary building permits for any project.
• Ask for identification.
• Never pay in cash and don't pay before the work has begun.
• Don't pay more than 10 percent down.
• Check references and obtain at least three bids with a written contract.

Visit www.cslb.ca.gov for more information.