HIGHLIGHTS OF
THE CONTRACTORS STATE LICENSE BOARD
 ENFORCEMENT COMMITTEE MEETING

Sacramento, CA
October 16, 2007
By Sam K. Abdulaziz

The Contractors Board/Enforcement Committee held a meeting on October 16, 2007, in Sacramento, California.

INTAKE AND MEDIATION CENTERS
The staff continues to focus on settling licensing complaints, and when possible resolving the complaints using alternative resolution process. Face to face mediations have also been successful.

A Norwalk consumer services representative negotiated a $180,000.00 cash settlement. Face to face mediation resulted in a refund of approximately $5,000.00. In another case, the contractor refunded $11,000.00 to a homeowner as a result of mediation by the Contractor’s Board.

HIGH PROFILE INVESTIGATIONS
Supervisors in the Investigative Center have been actively reaching out to local prosecutors for criminal prosecutions of CSLB referrals. This outreach has been successful and the efforts are bringing about huge dividends. Unlicensed construction activity has resulted in unlicensed contractors being sentenced to serve time and ordered to pay substantial restitution to victims. Restitution was paid by unlicensed contactors on some occasions.

ON-SITE NEGOTIATIONS & SETTLEMENTS
On-Site Negotiations prove to be successful in settling cases. Many times refunds are being made by contractors.

OUTREACH
The enforcement staff continues to reach out to industry associations, consumer protection groups, consumers, contractors etc. and to partner with other enforcement agencies to educate them on contractor’s license law.

ENFORCEMENT OFFICE AUDITS
Program managers have begun auditing enforcement division operations. The main purpose is to identify potential for improvement and consistency statewide.

PROACTIVE ENFORCEMENT ACTIVITIES
The Statewide Investigation Fraud Team (SWIFT) is aggressive and proactive in the enforcement program, targeting unlicensed operators throughout California. During August and September 2007, Northern and Southern SWIFT units conducted a total of 19 successful stings and sweep operations.

A Ventura sting partnering with the Ventura County District Attorneys Office, netted 27 unlicensed individuals during the two-day operation. A Newport Beach sting targeted unlicensed pool related contractors. During that two-day period, they issued 26 notices to appear.

PRODUCTION HIGHLIGHTS
In this area, the staff broke a record in August for case closures.

PARTNERING
David Fogt and his staff are pushing partnering with other agencies. The partnering with the Los Angeles City Attorneys Office has exceeded expectations for increasing the number of cases prosecuted. Successful partners have gone higher and higher.

UNLICENSED CONSULTANT ACTION PLAN
Illegal contracting activities and poor workmanship cause considerable harm to the public. Home improvement projects, especially those involving the elderly, are targets of unscrupulous and unlicensed contractors, many of whom call themselves “consultants.” These unlicensed “consultants” often prey on elderly homeowners. The CSLB staff has been conducting meetings with building officials throughout the state as well as industry representatives and other state agencies, to determine new strategies for dealing with these specific problems. They have put together a rather substantial action plan. The plan includes legislation and additional staff training. Pilot projects are being done in Norwalk and El Dorado County.

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