Six cited for illegally operating as contractors

Feb. 27--PIONEER -- A half-dozen men illegally operating as contractors were cited during an undercover sting operation conducted Tuesday in Pioneer by the Contractors State License Board with assistance from Amador County District Attorney 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 suspect was found to have prior criminal history as a sex offender. Two suspects had been arrested in previous CSLB stings.

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

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

CSLB's Statewide Investigative Fraud Team, or SWIFT, held the sting operation 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.org.

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 Don A. Sternick of Sutter Creek, Armand Leo Chournard of West Point, Gary Jack Shroyer of Pioneer, Michael Joseph Vasquez of Jamestown, Matthew Brian Ramos of Jamestown and Robert Darin Kintigh of Cool.

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