Amador County sting operation nets six cited for contracting without a license

Feb. 27--Six men were cited this week for illegally operating as contractors during an undercover sting operation conducted by the Contractors State License Board in the Amador County community of Pioneer.

The Tuesday sting was carried out with assistance from Amador County District Attorney investigators and the state Department of Insurance. Four of the six suspects also were cited for illegal advertising.

CSLB's Statewide Investigative Fraud Team held the operation at a single-family home in 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 also were found advertising on fliers, newspapers and online bulletin boards, including Craigslist.org.

Those cited for contracting without a license were identified as Don Sternick of Sutter Creek, Armand Leo Chournard of West Point in Calaveras County, Gary Shroyer of Pioneer, Robert Kintigh of Cool and Jamestown residents Michael Vasquez and Matthew Ramos. All are scheduled for arraignment on April 7 in Amador County Superior Court in Jackson.

CSLB encourages consumers to always verify contractor licenses at www.cslb.ca.gov or by calling CSLB's toll-free automated line, (800) 321-2757.

------

___

(c)2014 The Sacramento Bee (Sacramento, Calif.)

Visit The Sacramento Bee (Sacramento, Calif.) at www.sacbee.com

Distributed by MCT Information Services