Sting Nets 13 Unlicensed Contractors

A sting operation conducted by the Redondo Beach Police Department, City Attorney's Office and the Contractors State License Board's Statewide Investigative Fraud Team (SWIFT) last week netted 13 people suspected of being an unlicensed contractor, according to a news release from the CSLB.

As part of the operation, "SWIFT investigators sought bids for painting, tree service and concrete projects at a Redondo Beach home," according to the CSLB. "All 13 who bid more than $500 for labor and materials received the notices for contracting without a license."

Additionally, investigators discovered that the license of La Mirada resident Edward Arthur Alvarez, 69, was revoked in August. If convicted, he'll face a minimum of 90 days in jail and a maximum sentence of up to $10,000 in fines and one year in jail, according to the CSLB.

Huntington Beach resident Abraham Gregory Erbabian, 48, and Orange resident Nathan Adam Philips, 27, both face charges of fraudulently using a license not issued to them.

Other alleged violations investigators discovered include illegal advertising and soliciting excessive downpayment, CSLB said.

All were cited for illegal advertising. Contractors are required to display their license number in all ads, unless they are advertising for handyman work—or jobs that cost less than $500. In that case, the ads must also must say that the person does not have a contracting license.

Only one person was cited for soliciting an excessive down payment. According to the CSLB, the legal down payment for a project is $1,000 or 10 percent of the contract price, whichever is less.

—City News Service contributed to this report.