On Wednesday, January 18, 2006, Investigator Mark Lopez of the District Attorney’s, Bureau of Investigations, Consumer Fraud Unit, was recognized by the Contractors State License Board for his part in numerous investigations in Tulare County. Investigator Lopez conducted numerous investigations into unlicensed contractors working in the Visalia area and throughout Tulare County which lead to the arrest of several persons who do not have a valid license to conduct business in California. Several of these individuals were using a license belonging to other persons without their permission because their own license was suspended, revoked or they simply had no contractor’s license at all.

Investigator Lopez working with Contractors State Labor Board (CSLB) and other investigators from the Tulare County District Attorney’s Office located these individuals, served search warrants on their homes and businesses and arrested these persons.

During this time Investigator Lopez also conducted 3 undercover sting operations which lead to the arrest of 42 individuals conducting business without a license. These people were working in a variety of different types of businesses from electrical work to landscaping.

Nine businesses were cited at the Home Show Expo in Visalia for operating without licenses or other violations of the Business and Professions Code. This investigation was conducted with assistance of the CSLB’s Statewide Investigative Fraud Team (SWIFT) and over 160 businesses were checked. Most, as you can see, were in compliance by having the correct licenses.

Investigator Lopez has been instrumental in working with not only the CSLB but local cities and the building industry to seek out and prosecute anyone that works without a proper license. It is imperative that if you plan on building, remodeling, or having other work done on your property, to ask to see the persons contractors license. These licenses can be checked on-line with CSLB to verify if the person really has a valid license. If you doubt the validity of the person, call the District Attorney’s Consumer Fraud Hotline, at 559-730-2556.

For further information, contact Assistant District Attorney, Don Gallian at 733-6411