3 Cited in Unlicensed Contractor Sting

Less than two months after a previous sting netted eight allegedly unlicensed contractors, a second sting last week at the same location in Rolling Hills Estates netted three more contractors, according to a news release from the California State Licensing Board.

In the sting—which was conducted June 19 by the CSLB's Statewide Investigative Fraud Team with the assistance of the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department and the Department of Consumer Affairs’ Division of Investigation—undercover investigators sought bids for work on flooring, concrete, fencing, tree-trimming and garage doors.

"Suspects were contacted through business cards and ads that appeared in the online bulletin board craigslist.org," according to the CSLB.

Two of the contractors—Julia Armando Escobar of Inglewood and Jesus Danny Hernandez of Anaheim—face misdemeanor charges of contracting without a license. Penalties for the first conviction under this statute include up to six months in jail and/or up to $5,000 in fines.

A third man, Asaf Steren of Sherman Oaks, was cited for failure to have the required CSLB Home Improvement Salesperson registration and requesting an excessive down payment.

The legal limit for a down payment is 10 percent or $1,000, whichever is less, according to the CSLB.

The three men are scheduled to appear in court Sept. 3.