Industry help results in contractors' arrests

Three arrests last month are the latest fruit of an unusual partnership between the public and private sectors to crack down on unlicensed contractors.

The effort in northern Nevada combines the practical knowledge of contractors with the legal authority of state and local agencies and participants like the results.

Three men Tuihalangingie Finau, Albert R.

Lopez and James Anthony Montana were arrested by the Washoe County Sheriff 's Department during January for contracting without a license.

The department said other arrest warrants are pending.

Unlicensed contractors are the targets of the Contractors Interagency Task Force.

It brings together the private sector the Nevada Chapter Associated General Contractors with public agencies such as the state contractors board and building officials from Washoe and Douglas counties and the cities of Reno and Sparks.

They join, in turn, with the sheriff 's department and the Washoe County District Attorney's office.

The involvement of the Associated General Contractors is particularly important, said Assistant Sheriff Jim Lopey.

"They are acutely aware of the problem and who's doing what," he said.

"The cooperation has been terrific.We're all trying to work on this problem."

John Helzer, assistant district attorney, noted the task force also is valuable because it helps get the word to would-be contractors about the need to be properly licensed.

A contractor who played a key role in bringing the task force together about a year ago said it was born in the industry's frustration about the effects of unlicensed companies.

Mike Cate, president of Silver State Masonry and chair of the AGC's contractor relations committee, said unlicensed contractors contribute to some of the worst headaches lawsuits over poor workmanship, for instance that plague the construction industry statewide.

He said, too, unlicensed contractors often avoid taxes and often fail to protect their employees with workers compensation coverage.

Next up for the task force, he said, is a meeting to encourage the involvement of the federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration in the group.