On November 2, 2005, Investigators of the Tulare County District Attorney’s Office and members of the Statewide Investigate Fraud Team, for the Contractors State License Board, traveled to a Visalia construction company business office and a residence for the purpose of serving search warrants.

The search warrants were served at approximately 08:30 AM, at the office of Kochevar and Kids Construction, located at 1830 S. Mooney Blvd, #212, and at the residence of the owner located at 1501 W. Sierra Dr., Visalia. The warrants also included the search of all construction vehicles, telephones, computer equipment, owned and maintained by John J. Kochevar.

In a combined effort with the City of Visalia Community Development and Public Works Departments and the Law Enforcement branches of the CSLB and the TCDA Bureau of Investigations, Investigators determined that John Kochevar, an unlicensed contractor, had participated in numerous construction projects within Tulare County without a valid license.

Kochevar was also discovered misusing the license of a Southern California business to obtain confidence and work from local consumers and businesses. Official documents, submitted to the Planning Department by Kochevar, were identified as forgeries, false, and with the use of another innocent parties CSLB license. The stolen license number was of William Covey, a General Contractor, from La Crescenta, California. This license was initially reported misused in January of 2005.

Based on the circumstances surrounding this fraud, Investigators searched the locations and seized records in the form of documents, cash, contracts, billing information and computerized data.

At Approximately 9:00 am, Kochevar was arrested at a construction site for filing false documents, fraudulent use of another’s license, perjury, unlicensed contracting, burglary and forgery. Kochevar was also found to be in possession of concealed, loaded, handguns. Pursuant to an arrest warrant, Kochevar was booked into Tulare County jail on the 19 felony counts of the above listed charges. Kochevar has a $50,000.00 bail amount.

Any additional questions can be directed to Assistant District Attorney, Carol Turner at (559) 733 6411.