IMPORTANT NEWS...
State Regulatory Agency, Local Law Enforcement "Sting' Unlicensed Contractors in Jacksonville
September 24, 2012
TALLAHASSEE - The Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR) today announced the conclusion of a week-long sting operation that targeted unlicensed contractors in the Jacksonville area. Working together with the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office, the Northeast Florida Builders Association (NEFBA) and the Florida Department of Financial Services, investigators identified 11 unlicensed contractors who were allegedly offering estimates for contracting services which require a Florida license. The operation was part of ongoing local and statewide efforts to protect and educate Florida’s consumers on the dangers of doing business with unlicensed individuals.
The sting targeted unlicensed individuals who provided bids for home repairs such as building, plumbing, roofing and electrical work, all of which require a license for the scope of work offered. The following individuals were arrested upon arriving at the operation location to perform unlicensed contracting work:
Thomas Vincent Michutka, 7/20/60, of Jacksonville;
Charles L. Klingensmith, 11/23/46, of Jacksonville;
Paul Oldfield, 6/29/56, of Orange Park;
Wahab Ishola Olaunji, 10/23/83, of Jacksonville;
Nathan Joseph Daniel, 7/6/82, of Jacksonville;
Robert Felton Woods, 12/3/74, of Jacksonville;
William Clay McGouey, 9/9/75, of Jacksonville;
Dave Raye Roaldson, 12/5/59, of Jacksonville;
Robert Thomas Geis, 5/21/67, of Jacksonville;
Daniel Joseph Zygmont, 10/21/55, of Jacksonville; and
Mark Anthony Dugger, 1/17/74, of Jacksonville
Each individual was charged with violations of Chapters 489.127(1)(f) and 489.531(1)(a) F.S., advertising to perform contracting services which require a license and practicing contracting without a license. Individuals were also issued notices to Cease and Desist and are subject to administrative penalties.
Unlicensed activity occurs when an individual offers to perform or performs services that require a state license and the individual does not hold the required license. Florida law sets specific rules and guidelines for obtaining professional licensure, and the people who have met these requirements are held to professional standards. Consumers can verify professional licenses online at www.myfloridalicense.com.
Unlicensed activity is illegal and can result in misdemeanor or felony charges if an individual is convicted. Floridians should report any suspected unlicensed activity by emailing ULA@dbpr.state.fl.us or calling the Unlicensed Activity Hotline at 1-866-532-1440. The individuals involved in the sting operation will be referred to the local state attorney’s office for criminal prosecution.
The Department of Business and Professional Regulation’s mission is to license efficiently and regulate fairly. The Department licenses and regulates more than one million businesses and professionals ranging from hotels and restaurants, real estate agents and certified public accountants to veterinarians, contractors and cosmetologists. For more information, please visit www.MyFloridaLicense.com.
More information about DBPR is available online at www.myfloridalicense.com. Also, follow @FloridaDBPR on Twitter or Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation on Facebook for updates about license cycles, events and other important news.