Los Angeles’ top prosecutor announce Thursday that five unlicensed contractors were charged in connection with illegally offering services or restoring homes and properties in Altadena.
Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan Hochman was joined by Los Angeles County Supervisor Kathryn Barger to announce charges against the five men, accused of targeting victims of the Eaton Fire.
“Get the heck out of our community, unlicensed contractors,” Hochman said as he was explaining the charges during a news conference on Thursday, with the backdrop of a yet-to-be-rebuilt home.
Hochman said the five people — Guillermo Ramirez, Edgar Geovanni Lopez, Melvin Hairon Meija Ordonez, Daniel Escarzaga, Andrew Escarzaga — were charged with being unlicensed contractors under the relevant statute with California Business and Professions Code, 7028.16.
“These folks are not insured,” Hochman said, calling them “another type of criminal” who are trying to make profit off Eaton Fire victims. “If something goes wrong during this construction process and you want to go after their insurance, they have no insurance to go after.”
Hochman warned Eaton Fire victims that using an unlicensed contractor increased the likelihood of fraud.
“You’re going to give them a whole lot of money upfront, and you may not see them again,” he said.
Hochman warned working with unlicensed contractors could also make people vulnerable to lawsuits as well.
“You will be sued for any injury of any of these employees that occurs on your property, and it will not be the responsibility of this unlicensed contractor because they’re unlicensed,” he said.
The district attorney said during a wildfire state of emergency, unlicensed contractors and contractor fraud could be result in three years in prison or a $10,000 fine.
The five charged people will be arraigned on Jan. 8, according to DA Hochman.
Supervisor Barger joined Hochman, warning unlicensed contractors that they will “not be tolerated.”
“Let me tell you that that is not a threat, that is a promise,” she said. “That is a promise that as a county supervisor, I will do everything in my power to make sure that the weight of every single law comes down hard on people that take advantage of our survivors.”
Hochman said signs will be posted across the region, warning the public against unlicensed prosecutors who are illegally offering their services. The signs will be translated in different languages, including Spanish, Korean and Chinese.
“If you are someone who has been approached by an unlicensed contractor, if you are someone who has actually hired an unlicensed contractor, whether you knew it or didn’t know it at the time, you are the victim under the statute,” Hochman explained.
Supervisor Barger said her office is releasing a list of licensed contractors, without endorsing them, so that Eaton Fire survivors are aware of their options.
LA County also provides counselors who can lend their expertise for any recovery projects. People can seek help and speak with a counselor confidentially by visiting the county website or calling 800-593-8222.
“Let’s continue to rebuild Altadena responsibly and with the peace of mind of our survivors and what they deserve,” Barger said.
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