14 People Received Citations
SANTA CRUZ—Santa Cruz County District Attorney’s Office conducted a “Sting” operation last week with the help of the California Contractors State Licensing Board and California Department of Insurance. This enforcement was part of an ongoing effort to maintain a safe and lawful construction industry in Santa Cruz County. In all, 14 subjects were cited for various violations.
A contractor is arrested in a past image from the CSLB Facebook page.
Over the course of two days last week, May 6th and 7th, investigators posed as homeowners looking for contractors to do some exterior and interior work on their residences. They contacted 18 subjects who were previously identified for advertising as a licensed contractor or failing to properly identify themselves as unlicensed contractors.
During the course of the sting operation, nine people were cited for contractor license violations and workers’ compensation violations, and five people were cited for various CSLB violations that included contracting without a license and/or fraudulent use of a contractor’s license, and improper advertising. One subject was also cited for possession of methamphetamine.
All citations were for misdemeanor offenses and all subjects were released at the scene. This action was part of an effort to protect the residents of Santa Cruz County from substandard construction and fraud. This was also an effort to help minimize the underground economy that often affect legitimate contractors.
The following contractors were cited in the sting:
Teodoro Alejo Colores-Olivera – Teodoro Landscaping and Gardening, Watsonville – Failure to Secure Workers Compensation Insurance, Contracting Without a License, Other Violations of Contractors State Licensing Board
Jose Zambrano – JZ/General Handyman, Aptos – Failure to Secure Workers Compensation Insurance, Contracting Without a License, Other Violations of Contractors State Licensing Board
Paul Anthony Mayrikis, Scotts Valley – Failure to Secure Workers Compensation Insurance, Contracting Without a License, Other Violations of Contractors State Licensing Board
Michael Dean Gruenke – M D G Painting, #1002441, Watsonville – Failure to Secure Workers Compensation Insurance, Other Violations of Contractors State Licensing Board
James Michael Ridner, Santa Cruz – Contracting Without a License, Other Violations of Contractors State Licensing Board
Moises Cruz-Gutierrez – Hauling & Tree Work, Scotts Valley – Failure to Secure Workers Compensation Insurance, Contracting Without a License, Other Violations of Contractors State Licensing Board
William Jason Armendariz – Whole House Help, Inc., Salinas – Contracting Without a License, possession of methamphetamine
Malachi Bronson Hoade, Capitola – Contracting Without a License, Other Violations of Contractors State Licensing Board
Pedro Gomez Huerta – Safe & Professional Tree Service, Mountain View – Failure to Secure Workers Compensation Insurance, Contracting Without a License, Other Violations of Contractors State Licensing Board
Brian Joseph Gouveia – Rain Gutter Specialist, Santa Clara – Failure to Secure Workers Compensation Insurance, Contracting Without a License, Other Violations of Contractors State Licensing Board
Glenn Damaan, Santa Cruz – Contracting Without a License, Other Violations of Contractors State Licensing Board
Angel Flavio Sandoval, Watsonville – Failure to Secure Workers Compensation Insurance, Contracting Without a License, Other Violations of Contractors State Licensing Board
Marcelino Uribe – Mario’s Gardening, Watsonville – Contracting Without a License, Other Violations of Contractors State Licensing Board
Roberto Ortiz Ochoa – Royal Painting & Decorating, Salinas – Failure to Secure Workers Compensation Insurance, Other Violations of Contractors State Licensing Board
If you would like to check the status or validity of a contractor or contractor’s license, visit the California State Consumer Affairs Contractors License Board website. If you would like to report any employers who are not properly ensuring their employees, you can contact the Santa Cruz County District Attorney’s at 831-454-2400, or your own county District Attorney.
