(Woodland, CA) – January 26, 2016 – District Attorney Jeff Reisig announced today that on January 20, 2016, 35-year-old Woodland man Angel Octavio Montoy Del Rio pled no contest to charges of failing to provide worker’s compensation insurance and contracting without a license. Judge Janene Beronio sentenced Montoy Del Rio to three years informal probation, 120 hours of community service and imposed a fine of over $41,000.
On September 1, 2015, Montoy Del Rio and his employees were installing a gravel driveway at a home in Woodland. Montoy Del Rio did not have a contractor’s license even though he was required to have one. Additionally, Montoy Del Rio’s truck displayed an advertisement for his business without listing his contractor’s license number or stating “unlicensed,” as required by law. When contacted by a Yolo County District Attorney Investigator, Montoy Del Rio admitted that he had two employees but that they were not covered by workers’ compensation insurance. On September 30, 2015, Montoy Del Rio was caught installing sprinklers in Davis, again without a contractor’s license and while displaying an illegal advertisement on his truck.
Since being cited and prosecuted, Montoy Del Rio has obtained both workers’ compensation insurance and his contractor’s license.
District Attorney Jeff Reisig cautioned homeowners who hire contractors to be aware of any advertisements without a valid contractor’s license on them. “Unlicensed contractors and contractors without valid workers’ compensation coverage place homeowners at substantial financial risk for any injuries which occur during the job,” said Reisig. “If you are in doubt, contact the Contractor’s State License Board.”
If you suspect a contractor is committing Workers’ Compensation Insurance Fraud please contact the District Attorney’s Fraud Hot Line phone number at 855-4-YOLO DA (855-496-5632). Reports of suspected fraud can also be made online at https://yoloda.org/fraud-reporting/. The District Attorney’s Office also has a “Fraud Reporting E-mail Address” at Fraud@yoloda.website-development.info/public_html. To ensure a contractor’s license is valid and they are properly insured, visit the Contractor’s State License Board website at http://www.cslb.ca.gov.
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