Five Lincoln residents were recently charged with contracting without a license.

Enforcement representatives from the Contractors State License Board’s Statewide Investigative Fraud Team acted on a tip from city of Lincoln building officials to catch an unlicensed contractor allegedly suspected of illegally operating in Placer County.

While pulling permits for building and repair projects at the city building department, local licensed contractors voiced concerns that David Alan Ledford, 35, of Lincoln, was contracting without a license, according to Contractors State License Board representatives on Jan. 28.

During a sting at Sun City Lincoln Hills on Jan. 26, investigators invited Ledford to submit a bid, according to the state license board. When he submitted a bid, Ledford received a notice to appear in court for contracting without a license and illegal advertising, and an administrative citation for illegal advertising and fraudulent use of a contractor license number not issued to him, according to the state license board. Illegally using another person’s license number is punishable by up to $10,000 in fines.

Ledford had been using the license of Dean Thorstad, who is owner of Dean’s Home Improvements, Inc., which serves Texas, California, Arizona and North Carolina.

He had been made aware of someone illegally using his contracting license, according to Thorstad.

“We contacted the state board, telling them someone was using our contractor’s license and ordered them to cease and desist,” Thorstad said.

Thorstad said he “knew of Ledford,” adding he had applied as a project manager for Dean’s Home Improvements, Inc. Thorstad said his company was not interested in hiring Ledford because he “didn’t feel comfortable with him.”

As for how Ledford received the contractor’s licensing number, Thorstad said he could have taken it from the company’s letterhead when inquiring about the job.

“I’m actually quite pleased that he was held accountable,” Thorstad said. “We had sent him a letter asking him not to use our number and assumed he had stopped.”

Thorstad said he sent Ledford a letter including the fine information for illegally using someone’s licensing number.

Ledford was one of 12 suspects who received a notice to appear for contracting without a license. Eleven of those suspects will also answer to charges of illegal advertising. Court appearances will be on March 23 at the Bill Santucci Justice Center in Roseville.

The News Messenger spoke Monday with Ken Dzor, a Lincoln resident who received a notice to appear.

“I made a mistake and I’m hoping the judge sees it that way,” Dzor said. “I have no hard feelings with the CSLB and I want to get this rectified. I’ve never had an issue like this before and I don’t intend to again.”

Ledford and three others also received administrative citations for contracting without a license. Two of those citations included advertising violations.

California Business & Professions Code requires contractors to be state-licensed for home- improvement work valued at more than $500 for combined labor and material costs.

The code also requires contractors to put their license number in all advertisements. Those without licenses may do jobs valued at less than $500 but they must state that they are not licensed contractors in all their advertisements.

During the undercover operation, investigators solicited bids for home-improvement projects, including landscaping, fencing, interior and exterior painting, flooring, tile and cabinet work.

Rick Lopes, a Contractors State License Board spokesman, told The News Messenger how the sting took place.

“We pose as a homeowner and call up the people we suspect of being unlicensed, call them to the sting home and ask them for a bid for a project,” Lopes said.

He said the suspected unlicensed contractor will be asked to give a price for a home- improvement project they know would cost more than $500.

The suspect can be charged with a felony or misdemeanor, depending on how they present themselves.

“If there are no outstanding arrests or warrants, or if they don’t present themselves as a licensed contractor, it is a misdemeanor,” Lopes said. “If you try to pass yourself off as being licensed, it can be a felony.”

The license board’s Statewide Investigative Fraud Team was assisted by the Placer and Amador counties’ District Attorney’s offices and the Lincoln Police Department during the operation.

“CSLB is excited that the board’s relationship with the Lincoln Development Services Department and its building officials helped investigators locate and hold accountable an unlicensed operator,” said Contractors State License Board’s Registrar Steve Sands. “CSLB values its relationships with local governments and law enforcement agencies throughout the state that will help ensure continued success in combating unlicensed, unlawful activity.”

The News Messenger asked chief building official for city of Lincoln Todd Cunningham what the city’s role in the sting was.

“In this case, a licensed contractor notified me about this particular individual, alleging the person might be working without the benefit of a contractor’s license,” said Cunningham. “We let the CSLB know about it, (which is) standard procedure.”

Building officials only grant permits to state-licensed contractors. Consumers should be wary that any rebuilding, remodeling, or installation project requiring a permit might not meet the safety or energy-efficiency standards required by state law, and could potentially put them and their families at risk.

Licensed contractors are also required to carry workers’ compensation insurance for all employees and a $12,500 contractor license bond to ensure consumer protection.

Other Lincoln residents receiving a notice to appear in court March 23 for contracting without a license, illegal advertising are Kenneth Dzor, George Allen Greer, Joe Britton and Jason Edward Post, according to the Contractors State License Board’s press release.