Unlicensed Contractors Busted For 'Preying' On Wildfire Survivors: DA

LOS ANGELES, CA — Five men have been charged with working as unlicensed contractors in the Eaton Fire area in what the district attorney described as a practice of "preying" on fire survivors rebuilding their homes in Altadena.

The defendants were charged on Dec. 4 with contracting without a license during a natural disaster — felonies due to the connection with structures that were damaged or destroyed by the January wildfire, which was declared a state of emergency by the governor, according to the Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office.

“My office is cracking down on criminal contractors who prey on residents who have already lost so much and cannot afford to lose more,” District Attorney Nathan J. Hochman said. “I urge the communities impacted by the wildfires to stay vigilant and report unlicensed contractors who are taking advantage of this disaster and putting your safety and property at risk. This is important: You are still the victim of a crime even if you knowingly hired an unlicensed contractor and should alert authorities.”

The defendants are:

• Andrew Escarzaga, 27, and Daniel Escarzaga, 28, both of Chino. They're set to be arraigned on Jan. 8.
• Edgar Geovanni Lopez Revolorio, 42, of Arleta, who pleaded not guilty at his Dec. 10 arraignment and was released on his own recognizance. He's due back in court Feb. 2.
• Guillermo Ramirez, 54, of Pomona, who also has two prior felony convictions including a strike prior. He pleaded not guilty at his Thursday arraignment and was released on his own recognizance. He is due back in court Feb. 2.
• Melvin Hairon Mejia Ordonez, 41, of Los Angeles, who pleaded not guilty at his Thursday arraignment. He was released on his own recognizance.

The court ordered Revolorio, Ramirez and Ordonez to not perform work that requires a license unless they are properly licensed and not advertise such work.

“Rebuilding after the Eaton Fire is hard enough, and no survivor should also have to fear being exploited by unlicensed or unscrupulous contractors," said Supervisor Kathryn Barger. "I wholeheartedly appreciate District Attorney Hochman for his steadfast leadership in protecting our communities and sending a clear message that this criminal behavior will not be tolerated. As Altadena recovers, we will continue working together to safeguard residents’ safety and peace of mind.”

Hochman on Thursday also unveiled a campaign to warn contractors that they will be prosecuted for unlicensed activity in fire zones.