Sting Lures Unlicensed Contractors

The sting was organized by the Contractors State License Board with assistance from Marin County prosecutors, sheriff's deputies and state insurance regulators. Unlicensed contractors put residents and their neighbors at risk of serious physical injury and major financial loss from shoddy, uninsured work. They compete unfairly with contractors who follow the law and obtain insurance and workers' compensation coverage. The competitive advantage is even more pronounced in a bad economy, he said.

An undercover sting targeting unlicensed contractors netted 16 alleged violators in San Rafael, authorities announced Friday.

During the sting, investigators posed as homeowners and solicited bids for landscaping, flooring, painting and other work. State law requires a license for any project over $500, and contractors must put their license number in any advertisements, according to the CSLB.

The law also bars contractors from seeking down payments of more than $1,000 or 10 percent of the project fee, whichever is less, unless they buy consumer protection bonds, the board said.

The local contractors who received notices to appear in court included: Patrick Alan West, 46 of San Rafael, flooring; Juan Velazquez, 51, Novato, landscaping; Charles Allen Barber, 41, Fairfax, landscaping; Dale Sheridan Murphy, 36, Tiburon, painting; Charles Douglas Edwins, 65, of San Rafael, painting; George Lindstrom, 59, San Rafael, tree services; Gilberto Escalera Rojas, 26, Novato, landscaping; and Juan Xec, 26, San Rafael, painting.

Other contractors included: Michael Gregory Madden, 47, of Petaluma, tree services; Similai Taufahema, 45, San Bruno, landscaping; Jose Luis Ramirez, 38, Rohnert Park, tiles; Rafael Gonzalez Barajas, 46, Vallejo, landscaping; Robert Lee Zieber, 60, Santa Rosa, tile; Pedro Antonio Montes Veloz, 41, Santa Rosa, tree services; Mark Anthony Giammona, 40, Richmond, painting; and Santos Nava Martinez, 40, Richmond, tree services. Initial court appearance are pending.