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Tampa Police Target Unlicensed Contractors

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By JOSH POLTILOVE | The Tampa Tribune

Published: March 5, 2009

TAMPA - During an undercover operation, Tampa police arrested four people they say were working as unlicensed contractors.

On Wednesday at 2304 N. 47th St., police arrested Joaquin Maldonado, 46, of Tampa; Carlos Arroyo, 31, of Tampa; Stephen Nancoo, 41, of Tampa; and Richard Martinez, 42, of Port Richey. All four were charged with contracting without a license.

Police say Maldonado, who also was charged with grand theft, had been out on bail from jail in Pinellas County. Pinellas deputies say he performed contracting without a license there as well.

The Tampa operation was organized in response to citizen complaints about the four contractors, police say.

"The detective posed as a homeowner looking for a contractor to remodel areas in the house," a Tampa Police Department news release states. "After the detective and the suspects discussed the job, the arrest team, which was staged in a back bedroom, moved in for the arrests."

The deals were videotaped, police say.

In September, Tampa police added a detective to investigate the increasing number of unlicensed contractor fraud cases. The detective now averages 35 calls a week. People who hire unlicensed contractors do not have the same legal recourse in the event of fraud or faulty work.

Most victims are 50 or older, police say, and people lost $10,000 to $20,000 on average.

Police say their largest loss on record was $140,000. Fifteen cases had losses of more than $100,000.

Fines start at $500, police say.

It is a first-degree misdemeanor to perform contracting without a license, though punishment is harsher during a declared emergency. A second conviction will result in a felony charge.

Unlicensed people who advertise as contractors also will be charged with misdemeanors.

Some of the unions that do contracting work within the city have told police that at least 35 percent of contractor permitted work in Tampa is done by unlicensed contractors, Tampa police spokeswoman Andrea Davis said.

"What we're getting here is not even a drop in the bucket," she said.

Within the city of Tampa, people can call (813) 274-3100 to see whether a contractor is licensed.

Reporter Josh Poltilove can be reached at (813) 259-7691.

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