Simultaneous sting operations in seven cities in seven
counties led to 167 arrests during the "California Blitz" staged by
the California State Licensing Board. The CSLB's entire Statewide Investigative
Fraud Team was involved in the two-day mid-March raid aimed at combating the
underground economy by shutting down illegal operators.
Cities
targeted during two-day stings were Escondido (San Diego County), Orange
(Orange County), Hemet (Riverside County), Redondo Beach (Los Angeles County),
Brentwood (Contra Costa County), and Sacramento (Sacramento County), with a
one-day operation in Davis (Yolo County).
Those arrested
were issued notices to appear before a Superior Court judge to answer
misdemeanor charges, which could lead to six-month jail sentences and/or up to
$1,000 fines. Fifteen suspects were arrested and jailed.
"We
could only pull off this type of operation with the cooperation of industry,
local cities, and law enforcement agencies, district attorneys, and our
partners in the fraud division of the Department of Insurance," said CSLB
registrar Steve Sands. "Each of these groups stepped up to show their
commitment to going after those who contract without a license and break other
laws."
In other
CSLB news, increased production in the board's Intake/Mediation and Investigative Centers has resulted in increased
production, reduced case loads, and a dramatic reduction in aged cases and
cycle times. The CSLB enforcement division has achieved a record year in
reducing complaint cycle times. Cases exceeding one year in age now number just
37 statewide and only 108 are aged 270 days. In January 2007, the statewide
closure average was more than 11 per investigator, the fourth time in the last
year goals have been surpassed.
For the
first time, enforcement also has outstripped board goals to settle 30 percent
of licensee complaints in both intake/mediation and investigative centers. The
centers reduced the number of cases over 60 days old by half during the first
quarter of 2007.
