Contractors snared in sting operation in Truckee

For the first time, the California Contractors State License Board and the Nevada State Contractors Board teamed up this week in a joint enforcement operation on both sides of the state line. Particular attention was paid to people who crossed the state line to illegally bid on jobs.

The effort began Thursday with an undercover sting operation at a pair of neighboring cabins in Truckee. Members of CSLB’s Statewide Investigative Fraud Team led the sting by posing as owners of the cabins, getting bids for various improvement projects including landscaping, painting, and flooring. Those who bid more than $500 for labor and materials were issued a notice to appear in court.

Thirteen NTAs were issued for contracting without a license and related violations including illegal advertising and requesting an excessive down payment. Six of the 13 were issued to residents of Nevada. One of those six is a Nevada-licensed contractor. CSLB investigators received more than $86,600 in illegal bids during Thursday’s sting, with three of the bids for at least $12,000.

California law requires any home improvement job valued at $500 or more for labor and materials be undertaken by a California-licensed contractor. California and Nevada have a reciprocity agreement, making it easier for contractors licensed in one state to get a license in the other.

California law also requires advertisements for home improvement contracting services to include the California contractor license number. Those who perform jobs valued at less than $500 are allowed to do so in the state of California, but their ads must state that they are not a California-licensed contractor. In California a down payment for home improvement work cannot total more than 10 percent of the contract or $1,000, whichever is less.

Sweep operations will also take place on both sides of the state line today.

The following suspects who received NTAs are scheduled to be arraigned in Nevada County Superior Court facility in Truckee on July 18: