Deputies Use Craigslist to Reel in 9 Unlicensed Contractors

Armed with Craigslist postings, Pasco County Sheriff’s deputies set out this past weekend to catch unlicensed contractors in the act.

When all was said and done, nine arrests were made that the sheriff’s office said serve as a reminder for residents to be careful when selecting people to perform construction work on their homes.

“The purpose of the operation is to protect consumers from the dangers of working with unlicensed individuals, which may result in personal or financial harm, and to protect properly licensed professionals from unfair competition by unlicensed individuals,” a media release about the arrests stated.

With help from several state agencies, including the Florida Department of Financial Services, the sheriff’s office conducted a sting Friday, May 3 and Saturday, May 4 with the intent of catching contractors without licenses in the act. As part of the investigation, detectives contacted people who advertised via Craigslist for work that requires a contractor’s license.

“The subjects responded to the sting house and provided undercover detectives with a written proposal to do work, at which time they were placed under arrest,” the release said.

During the sting, deputies worked out of a home in Holiday. This is not the first time the sheriff's office has conducted such a sting.

Arrested were:

• Christopher Nazario – Working without workers' compensation, contracting without a license, and violation of probation (grand theft).
• Harry Bynum – Working without workers' compensation and contracting without a license.
• Adam Barnhart – Working without workers' compensation and contracting without a license.
• Marcelino Loperena – Working without workers' compensation.
• James Pastor – Working without workers' compensation and contracting without a license.
• Adam Pitt – Working without workers' compensation and contracting without a license.
• Eric Wieszchowski – Working without workers' compensation and contracting without a license.
• Scott Wieszchowski – Contracting without a license (given a notice to appear).
• Blair Goodrow – Working without workers' compensation and contracting without a license.

Tips for Working With Contractors

The state’s Department of Business and Professional Regulations urges homeowners to follow these tips when working with contractors:

• Hire only license by visiting MyFloridaLicense.com online or by calling 1-850-487-1395.
• Never pay more than 10 percent down for a job or $1,000, whichever is less until the job is complete.
• Be sure to get three bids, check references and obtain a written contract.
• Be very wary of door-to-door solicitors and those who will only work for cash.
• Do not sign certificates of completion until the work is completed to your satisfaction.