Undercover sting nabs six phony contractors

By The Record

March 04, 2014 12:00 AM

PIONEER - A half-dozen men illegally operating as contractors were cited during an undercover sting operation conducted last Tuesday in Pioneer by the Contractors State License Board with assistance from Amador County District Attorney's Office investigators and the California Department of Insurance.

During the eight-hour sting, officers held one suspect at gunpoint after he refused to cooperate, ran from investigators, locked himself in his vehicle and made threatening movements. Another suspect was found to be on probation for making terrorists threats, while still another was found to have a prior criminal history as a sex offender. Two suspects had been arrested in previous CSLB stings, officials said.

"Inviting an unlicensed contractor into your home is like playing with a stick of dynamite; definitely not worth the risk," license board Registrar Steve Sands said.

"You always should check CSLB's website - cslb.ca.gov - to see if the person bidding on your job has an active contractor license that is in good standing," Sands said. Or people can call (800) 321-2757.

The license board's fraud team held the sting at a single-family home in the Gold Country town of Pioneer, along Highway 88. Investigators requested bids for deck repair, landscaping and exterior painting. High bids received during the sting were $6,000 for deck repair and a $4,200 bid for exterior paint. Suspected unlicensed operators were found advertising on fliers, newspapers and online bulletin boards, including Craigslist.

All six suspects received misdemeanor citations for contracting without a license. Four suspects were cited on a misdemeanor charge of illegal advertising. Those receiving notices to appear are scheduled for arraignment at 8 a.m. April 7 in Amador County Superior Court, 500 Argonaut Lane, Jackson. They are: Armand Leo Chournard of West Point; Robert Darin Kintigh of Cool; Matthew Brian Ramos of Jamestown; Gary Jack Shroyer of Pioneer; Don A. Sternick of Sutter Creek; and Michael Joseph Vasquez of Jamestown.

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Undercover sting nabs six phony contractors