RIVERSIDE COUNTY– On September 24-25, the Contractors State License Board’s Statewide Investigative Fraud Team (SWIFT), the Menifee Police Department and the Riverside County District Attorney’s Office conducted an undercover sting targeting unlicensed contractors in Menifee.  During the operation, 12 people were found to be allegedly engaging in illegal contracting activities.

Unlicensed contractors were asked to submit bids for various construction projects, resulting in 12 individuals being served with notices to appear in criminal court. Additionally, three others were referred to the Riverside County District Attorney’s Office for similar violations.

All bids exceeded the legal limit of $500 for unlicensed work, with amounts ranging from $2,300 to $31,590 for landscaping, painting, and masonry projects. Under California law, it is illegal for unlicensed contractors to bid or work on projects costing more than $500, including labor and materials.

Penalties for these violations include administrative fines of up to $15,000, jail sentences of up to six months, and fines up to $5,000. Repeat offenders may face a mandatory 90-day jail sentence and a fine of $5,000 or 20 percent of the contract price.

Six individuals also requested down payments above the legal limit. Down payments for home improvement projects cannot exceed 10 percent of the project cost or $1,000, whichever is less. Violating this law is a misdemeanor, carrying fines of up to $5,000 and possible jail time.

“CSLB investigators conduct these stings throughout the state of California to protect consumers from harm, and to protect licensed contractors who have proven to the State that they have the knowledge to perform their jobs, they know their projects must meet California codes, they have passed a background check, and carry the necessary insurance,” said California Statewide Law Enforcement Association (CSLEA) President Alan Barcelona.