Illegal Operator Cited Twice in Two Days during First Ever Cal-Nevada Border Blitz

The first ever joint enforcement effort by the California Contractors State License Board (CSLB) and Nevada State Contractors Board (NSCB) on May 19 and 20, 2011, should put illegal operators on notice that unlicensed activity on either side of the state line will not be tolerated. The operation included stings on the California and Nevada sides of Lake Tahoe, and sweeps through jobsites in Placer and El Dorado counties.

Tomas Prochazka, 34, of Truckee, did not seem to get the message. After receiving a notice to appear in Nevada County Court at CSLB’s May 19 sting in Truckee, he received a citation to appear in Washoe County Court at a May 20 sting put on by NSCB in Incline Village. Prochazka will answer to charges of contracting without a license and illegal advertising in both states. During both stings, investigators from their respective boards posed as homeowners, seeking bids for various home improvement jobs. If suspects were not appropriately licensed, they received the notices to appear (NTAs) in court. A total of 13 received NTAs at the Truckee sting; six received NTAs at the Incline Village operation.

Also on May 20, CSLB investigators conducted sweeps at several jobsites in Placer and El Dorado counties in California, as NSCB investigators observed. In South Lake Tahoe, CSLB issued two stop work orders to unlicensed operators and another to a licensee for failure to carry workers’ compensation insurance. A new law that took effect January 1, 2011 enables CSLB investigators to immediately issue a Stop Order to a licensed or unlicensed contractor who cannot show a current workers’ compensation insurance policy for all employees on the job. Three others in South Lake Tahoe received administrative citations for contracting without a license.  

During the Placer County sweep, one person was cited for contracting on an expired license. Additional citations for contracting on an expired license and failure to carry workers’ compensation insurance are pending. 

“Investigators for our boards did a tremendous job in letting illegal operators know that they are being targeted on both sides of the state line,” said CSLB Registrar Steve Sands. “California and Nevada contractor boards are committed to protecting consumers, and ensuring a level playing field for legitimate licensees.”

Law enforcement backup for the sting and sweep operations were provided by the Nevada County District Attorney and Sheriff, Amador County District Attorney, Truckee Police Department, California Department of Consumer Affairs’ Department of Investigations. The following suspects who receive NTAs at the Truckee sting are scheduled for arraignment at 9:00 a.m. in Nevada County Superior Court, 10075 Levonne Avenue #301, Truckee, on July 18, 2011: 

Richard Mark Russell, Reno, NV, 49 Flooring, Contracting without a license, illegal advertising

Ildefonso Colmenero, 33 Kings Beach, CA, Earthwork and Paving, Contracting without a license, illegal advertising

Benjamin Munoz, 39, Truckee, CA, Landscaping, Contracting without a license, illegal advertising, illegal advertising, soliciting excessive down payment

Edgar Ramon Solorio Zaragosa, 29, Truckee, CA, Landscaping, Contracting without a license

Jorge Fernando Pena Campos, 49, Reno, NV, Painting, Contracting without a license, illegal advertising

Jeffrey James Drake, 50, Truckee, CA, Cabinet, Millwork and Finish Carpentry, Contracting without a license, illegal advertising

Michael David Durfee, 42, Reno, NV, Painting, Contracting without a license, illegal advertising, soliciting excessive down payment

Aleta Jeanine Renteria, 46, Reno, NV, Painting, Contracting without a license, illegal advertising, soliciting excessive down payment

Steven Gregory Snider, 54, Reno, NV, Landscaping, Contracting without a license, illegal advertising, failure to carry workers’ compensation

Matthew Nestore Williams, 29, Truckee, CA, Painting, Contracting without a license, illegal advertising

Tomas Prochzka, 34, Truckee, CA, Landscaping, Contracting without a license, illegal advertising

Donald L. Otto, 61, Sparks, NV Painting, Contracting without a license, illegal advertising

Bradley John Allen Moran, 38, Soda Springs, CA, Landscaping, Contracting without a license, illegal advertising

The first five suspects listed are set to appear at 9:30 a.m. on June 28, 2011, at Incline Justice Court, 865 Tahoe Boulevard, Suite 301, Incline Village. The last suspect is calendared for 2 p.m. on June 21, 2011, at Stateline Justice Court, 175 Highway 50, Stateline, Nevada. 

Tomas Prochazka, 34, Truckee, CA Plumbing and Electrical, Contracting without a license, advertising without a contractor license

Edward Virgil Yelland, 50, Truckee, CA General Construction, Contracting without a license, advertising without a contractor license

Michael Wayne Stenerson, 45, Minden, NV, Tiling, Contracting without a license, advertising without a contractor license

Rory Lee Parker, 52, Carson City, NV, Carpentry, Contracting without a license, advertising without a contractor license

Adan Arturo Mendivil, 32, Carson City, NV, General Construction, Contracting without a license, illegal advertising

Jose A. Ceballos-Ortega, 63, Tiling, Contracting without a license

The California Contractors State License Board operates under the umbrella of the Department of Consumer Affairs. More information and publications about hiring contractors are available on the CSLB website or by calling 800-321-CSLB (2752). You can also sign up for CSLB e-mail alerts at www.cslb.ca.gov. CSLB licenses and regulates California's more than 300,000 contractors, and is regarded as one of the leading consumer protection agencies in the United States. In fiscal year 2009-10, CSLB helped recover nearly $42 million in ordered restitution for consumers.

The Nevada State Contractors Board is committed to protecting the public’s health, safety, and welfare through licensing and regulation of the construction industry. Under Nevada Revised Statutes, a licensee is subject to disciplinary action by the Board for failure to comply with the requirements of the laws or regulations governing contractors. Violations may result in Board action against the contractor’s license. The State Contractors Board has the power to regulate contractors and discipline licensees who violate NRS 624. Disciplinary action may consist of a fine of up to $10,000 per offense, order corrective action, suspension, revocation or other action.

13 Contractors Disciplined By Contractors Board

At its meetings on May 24 and 25, 2011, the Nevada State Contractors Board adjudicated cases involving thirteen contractors.

Barefoot Pool & Spa LLC, license number 60704 (Commercial & Residential Pools, Unclassified Is Designated For Water Features Only), based out of Henderson, NV, was found in violation of Nevada Revised Statute 624 for failure to comply with the terms of a construction contract thereby causing material injury to another; and failure to include the monetary license limit or license number on a contract or proposal.  The licensee was ordered to pay $3,789.50 in restitution and investigative costs within 90 days or the license shall be suspended. 

United Solar Energy Inc., United Custom Pools and Spas, license number 52771 (Commercial & Residential Pools); United Solar Energy, Inc., license numbers 43928 and 30600A (Unclassified, Is Designated For Misting Only and Solar Contracting), based out of Henderson, NV, were found in violation of Nevada Revised Statute 624 for substandard workmanship. The licensee was ordered to pay investigative costs within 30 days or license number 52771 shall be suspended. 

Eldorado Rock Products Inc., license number 34507 (General Engineering), based out of Boulder City, NV, was found in violation of Nevada Revised Statute 624 for failure to establish financial responsibility. The licensee was ordered to pay investigative costs within 90 days or the license shall be suspended.  A financial statement with a bank verification form for all cash accounts that supports the license limit shall be provided within 90 days.  If the financial statement does not support the license limit, the license limit shall be reduced to the amount that the financial statement supports.

The Barricade Co. LLC, license number 73789 (Sealing & Striping of Asphaltic Surfaces), based out of Las Vegas, NV, was found in violation of Nevada Revised Statute 624 for bidding or contracting for a construction contract in excess of the limit placed on the license.

American Asphalt & Grading Co., license number 31785 (General Engineering), based out of Henderson, NV, was found in violation of Nevada Revised Statute 624 for failure to establish financial responsibility.  The licensee was ordered to pay investigative costs within 60 days and provide a financial statement with a bank verification form for all cash accounts that supports the license limit.  If the financial statement does not support the license limit, the license limit shall be reduced to the amount that the financial statement supports.  The license was suspended. 

Maynard William Kimbrell, dba Maynard Kimbrell Roofing Co., license number 42386A (Roofing); Maynard William Kimbrell, dba Maynard Kimbrell Construction Co., license number 51610A (Residential & Small Commercial), based out of Las Vegas, NV, were found in violation of Nevada Revised Statute 624 for willful disregard of the building laws of the state; failure to include the Residential Recovery Fund information on a contract or proposal; failure to provide the name, license number, business address and telephone number of all subcontractors on the project; acting as a contractor  without possessing any other license required by this state thereby engaging in constructional fraud;  failure to include the monetary license limit or license number on a contract or proposal;  substandard  workmanship; failure to take appropriate corrective action; failure to establish financial responsibility;  and for the partnership, corporation, firm or association participating in a prohibited act.  The licensee was fined $3,400 and ordered to pay investigative costs. The licenses were revoked.

Best Installation Tile & Marble Inc., license numbers 68880 and 68881 (Painting & Decorating and Carpentry); Sunshine Inc., dba Sun Shine Floor & Design Gallery, license numbers 49902 and 49900 (Finishing Floors and Tiling); Sunshine Inc., dba Sunshine Floor & Design Gallery, license number 55109 (Install Terazzo & Marble), based out of  Las Vegas, NV, were found in violation of Nevada Revised Statute 624 for failure to establish financial responsibility; failure to respond to a written request from the Board; and for the partnership, corporation, firm or association participating in a prohibited act. The licensee was fined $750 and ordered to pay investigative costs. The licenses were revoked.  

Big C LLC, license number 67393 (Concrete Contracting), based out of Las Vegas, NV, was found in violation of Nevada Revised Statute 624 for failure to establish financial responsibility; failure to keep in force a bond or cash deposit; and failure to respond to a written request from the Board. The licensee was fined $1,250 and ordered to pay investigative costs. The license was revoked.

Insulation Maintenance & Contracting LLC, license numbers 52565A and 52572A (Insulation of Pipes & Ducts and Insulation & Weather Stripping), based out of North Las Vegas, NV, was found in violation of Nevada Revised Statute 624 for failure to establish financial responsibility.  The licensee was fined $1,000 and ordered to pay investigative costs. The licenses were revoked.

Las Vegas Home Xchange LLC, dba Finishing Touch Construction & Landscape, license numbers 61144, 69164 and 68709 (Landscape Contracting, Concrete Contracting and Masonry), based out of Las Vegas, NV, was found in violation of Nevada Revised Statute 624 for failure to establish financial responsibility; and for the partnership, corporation, firm or association participating in a prohibited act. The licensee has filed for bankruptcy, so fines and investigative costs were not assessed. The licenses were revoked. 

James Mark Schencke, dba Platinum Management, license number 68940 (Finish Carpentry), based out of Las Vegas, NV, was found in violation of Nevada Revised Statute 624 for substandard workmanship; failure to take appropriate corrective action; failure to include the Residential Recovery Fund information on a contract or proposal; acting in the capacity of a contractor beyond the scope of the license; misuse of a license; and failure to establish financial responsibility. The licensee was fined $2,850 and ordered to pay investigative costs. The license was revoked.

Custom Signs, Inc., dba Sign Innovations, license number 68076 (Electrical Signs), based out of

Henderson, NV, was found in violation of Nevada Revised Statute 624 for failure to establish financial responsibility; and failure to respond to a written request from the Board. The licensee was fined $750 and ordered to pay investigative costs. The license was revoked.

N H B Inc., license number 61065 (General Building), based out of Lebanon, OR, was found in violation of Nevada Revised Statute 624 for failure to establish financial responsibility; and failure to respond to a written request from the Board.  The licensee was fined $1,250 and ordered to pay investigative costs. The license was revoked.

Six Unlicensed Contractors Cited In Northern Nevada Stings

Timothy Casey was advertising on Craigslist his jack-of-all-trades handyman experience that included the installation and repair of carpeting, painting, drywall repairs, plumbing, electrical, etc. During an undercover sting in the Reno area, Casey's partner, Robert Morris, showed up and recognized the NSCB investigator. Morris, a former licensed contractor whose business, Sierra Roofing Systems, LLC, had its license suspended in 2009 for no bond, was previously cited for contracting without a license.

Casey attempted to withdraw his bid, but it was too late. He was cited for advertising without a license.

Read more: Six Unlicensed Contractors Cited In Northern Nevada Stings

Nevada State Contractors Board Disciplines Nine Contractors

At its meeting on Jan. 26, 2011, the Nevada State Contractors Board adjudicated cases involving nine contractors.

Floor Coating Creations, Ltd., license number 52883 (Painting), based out of North Las Vegas, NV, was found in violation of Nevada Revised Statute 624 for bidding or contracting for a construction contract in excess of the limit  placed on the license; substandard workmanship; failure to take appropriate corrective action; acting in the capacity of a contractor beyond the scope of the license; willful disregard of the building laws of the state; and failure to include the monetary license limit or license number on a  contract or proposal. The licensee was fined $2,800; ordered to pay investigative costs and pay $19,750 in restitution.

Read more: Nevada State Contractors Board Disciplines Nine Contractors