MONTEREY COUNTY– On February 3, 2021, the Monterey County District Attorney’s Office announced that Jose Luis Mendoza, 47, was found guilty by court trial of contracting without a license, a violation of Business & Professions code section 7028, and contractor advertising without a license, a violation of Business & Professions code section 7027.1.

On December 11, 2019, investigators from the Contractors State Licensing Board (CSLB) conducted a sting operation at a home in Monterey County designed to catch unlicensed contractors attempting to contract with homeowners for home improvement projects.

Testimony by CSLB investigators revealed that Mendoza, who advertised his fence building business on the internet, showed up at the sting operation house and made a bid to build a fence for $2700, which requires a license from the State of California.  Mendoza had no such license.

In California, it's illegal for an unlicensed person to bid for or perform any home improvement valued at $500 or more in combined labor and material costs.

“CSLB investigators conduct stings throughout the state in order to protect consumers from those who contact without a license,” said California Statewide Law Enforcement Association (CSLEA) President Alan Barcelona.  “Consumers put  their safety and their finances at risk when  contracting without a license.”

"Consumers need to protect themselves by hiring a licensed contractor " said CSLB Registrar David Fogt. "Just because someone is advertising to do the work doesn't mean they have the skills, insurance, or know the trade well enough to get the job done right."

Judge Gilbert Brown, who presided over the trial, sentenced Mendoza to 120 days in jail, and ordered him to pay $5,000 in fines and fees.