CLEARWATER, Fla. — Greater than three dozen unlicensed contractors have been arrested and charged after a two-day undercover operation by the Pinellas County Sheriff’s Workplace, Clearwater Police Division, and different businesses.
In keeping with Sheriff Bob Gualtieri, the arrests have been made to guard folks from being ripped off and from the hazards of shoddy, unlicensed work.
“Nearly all of ‘em — they’re not even from right here,” he stated. “They’re coming in from outdoors the realm to take advantage of our residents and our companies.”
It’s not even the primary time he’s locked up unlicensed contractors for the reason that storms. His staff arrested dozens extra in Madeira Seaside two weeks in the past.
“As they’d say, sadly, it’s capturing fish in a barrel. There’s a lot of it on the market, it’s not arduous,” the sheriff stated.
In keeping with Clearwater Police Chief Eric Gandy, one of many unlicensed staff arrested in the latest bust was getting ready to do a $200,000 job.
Gualtieri stated one other was promoting demolition work however truly doing electrical work too.
The sheriff stated the variety of arrests within the Clearwater bust will probably exceed 40. He stated six of the 38 arrested to date are undocumented immigrants, and one of many six was within the strategy of being deported on the time of his arrest.
You may confirm a license by visiting www.pinellas.gov/contractor. It’s also possible to name the county’s Client Safety division at 727-464-6200.