A CSLB investigation

“We appreciate the work of CSLB investigators as they strive to protect homeowners who were greatly impacted by wildfires.  We also encourage homeowners to protect their investments by hiring only licensed contractors.”

CSLEA President Alan Barcelona

PACIFIC PALISADES — On July 2, 2026, the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office announced charges against six suspected unlicensed contractors accused of illegally operating in the Palisades Fire disaster zone following a joint operation with the District Attorney’s Bureau of Investigation and California’s Contractors State License Board (CSLB).

“As residents in Pacific Palisades and Altadena rebuild from the catastrophic wildfires in January 2025, we have a message for criminal contractors: Stay out of Los Angeles County,” District Attorney Nathan J. Hochman said. “Hiring an unlicensed contractor is never a good deal, leaving you at risk of illegal down payments, fraud, unsafe construction and an inability to sell your home down the line. This is also an issue of labor justice, as unlicensed contracting is often accompanied by labor exploitation such as wage theft, unpaid labor and unsafe working conditions. I thank the Contractors State License Board for their partnership in holding unlicensed contractors accountable and supporting a safe and lawful wildfire recovery in Los Angeles County.”

“Protecting wildfire survivors from unlicensed contractors as they rebuild is our priority. We are grateful to our partners at the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office who share in the mission to combat unlicensed contracting activity,” said Contractors State License Board Registrar David Fogt. “Anyone who needs to report unlicensed activity is encouraged to submit a complaint to CSLB.”

On June 26, the Office filed one felony count each of contracting without a license during a natural disaster against the following defendants:

• Luis Perez Silva (dob 6/5/81), case 26ARCF01263.
• Jecil Cruz-Herrera (dob 8/4/92), case 26ARCF01264.
• Luis Mateo Perez Lopez (dob 9/21/98), case 26ARCF01271.
• Antonio Herman Perez (dob 4/10/82), case 26ARCF01272.
• Santiago Ismael Mejia Urena (dob 4/3/82), case 26ARCF01273.
• Raymond Joshua Castorena (dob 10/19/92), case 26ARCF01274.

It is alleged that the offenses occurred in the aftermath of the Los Angeles County wildfires, a catastrophic event that destroyed more than 16,000 homes and structures and displaced tens of thousands of residents. It is also alleged that the defendants’ conduct was directed at, and had the likelihood to harm, victims made particularly vulnerable by the impact of the wildfires.

On April 15 to 16, 2026, investigators with CSLB’s Statewide Investigative Fraud Team reviewed online advertisements from contractors offering construction services without displaying a contractor license number. Investigators made individual appointments with the contractors at a Pacific Palisades residence to bid on building an accessory dwelling unit and demolition. The defendants were allegedly not licensed under their name or business name, nor did they have an application with CSLB pending. The defendants collectively placed bids totaling up to $1.27 million.

Five of the defendants face up to three years in prison and/or a fine of up to $10,000. Castorena faces up to six years in prison and/or a fine of up to $10,000 because of a prior strike offense.

Perez Lopez, Mejia Urena and Castorena pleaded not guilty at arraignment on June 26. Their preliminary hearing setting is scheduled for Aug. 5 in Department 31 of the Airport Courthouse. The defendants remain released on their own recognizance.

Arraignment for Cruz-Herrera, Silva and Perez is set for July 8 in Department 30 of the Airport Courthouse.

The cases are being prosecuted by Deputy District Attorney Eva Jabber Stodel of the Consumer Protection Division and remain under investigation by the Contractors State License Board and the District Attorney’s Bureau of Investigation.

The charges filed in these cases are allegations. The defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.

Additional note: In December 2025, the Office announced charges against five unlicensed contractors who were allegedly illegally operating in the Eaton Fire disaster zone following a previous joint operation with CSLB in Altadena.