Every week, our California Statewide Law Enforcement Association (CSLEA) members who are investigators with the Contractors State License Board (CSLB), go undercover in sting operations to protect consumers from unlicensed contractors.  In addition to that, they sweep construction sites and issue citations to workers who are violating licensing laws.

When investigators set up shop in the Madera County town of Coarsegold, last month, they were not wasting their time.  They caught 17 men suspected of working without a state contractors license.  Among the 17 suspects was a convicted sex offender and a man who is on the Nevada State Contractors Board’s Most Wanted List.

Want more?  Three of the suspects had suspended driver licenses and a fourth was driving without a valid driver license.

When Michael Scaggs, 57, of Squaw Valley  showed up to bid on ceramic tile work , investigators busted him for contracting without a license and illegal advertising.  They also discovered Scaggs has been wanted since 2009 by the Nevada State Contractors Board.  Investigators also had his vehicle towed because Scaggs was reportedly driving without a valid driver license.

Bryan Higgins, 41, of Coarsegold,  was also caught in the sting when he showed up to bid on tree services.  Higgins was cited for contracting without a license, illegal advertising and asking for an excessive down payment.  Higgins disclosed he is listed on California’s Megan’s Law sex offender database following a sexual battery conviction.  His vehicle was also towed.   According to investigators he drove to the scene when his driver license is suspended.

“All of these suspects face fines and/or time in jail,” said CSLEA President Alan Barcelona.  “Our members who enforce the contractors state licensing  laws are protecting property owners from potentially unscrupulous workers who have little regard for the law and little regard for law-abiding contractors.  Do you want these people in your home?  These investigators are also helping  to combat the underground economy which hurts every Californian.  I say to them, keep up the great work.”