Downey man arrested in sting targeting unlicensed contractors

Fourteen unlicensed contractors were arrested at a sting operation last week. Photo provided by CSLB

A Downey man was arrested last week after he was caught in a sting targeting unlicensed contractors. 

Sergio Enrique Garcia allegedly posted an online ad soliciting construction work. 

Investigators from the California State License Board responded, and Garcia traveled to a single-family home in Northridge for work. He was arrested after bidding on a painting and decorating job.

Garcia was charged with contracting without a license and illegal advertising. State law requires that unlicensed contractors state in all advertisements that they are not licensed. 

Fourteen people were arrested in total during the sting. 

“With today’s technology, it is easy for people to make very professional looking websites, business cards, and other forms of advertisements,” said CSLB Registrar David Fogt. “But the only way to be sure that a contractor is working legally is to verify their license number with CSLB.”