Investigators arrest four suspected unlicensed contractors in Camp Fire area of Paradise
Investigators in Northern California arrested four men accused of working as unlicensed contractors in the Camp Fire disaster area, where the 2018 wildfire destroyed more than 10,000 homes and other buildings.
The suspects arrested Jan. 19 represented themselves as contractors while working in the town of Paradise, but none of them have any record of being licensed as contractors in California, according to a news release from the Butte County District Attorney’s Office.
The Camp Fire was the deadliest wildfire in California’s history and the costliest disaster anywhere that year with total damages estimated at more than $16 billion. The wildfire killed 85 people, leaving much of Paradise in ruins.
Gustavo Noriega, 30, of Live Oak; Josiah Westby, 35, of Paradise; Zachary Green, 36, of Oroville; and Terry Sumpter, 43, of Corning were arrested on suspicion of contracting without a license, according to the news release.
The arrests were the result of a joint investigation by the District Attorney’s Office, the Paradise Police Department and the California Contractors State Licensing Board.
Butte County District Attorney Mike Ramsey said most contractors maintain all required licenses and insurances, but some try to skirt the laws meant to protect consumers. He said unlicensed contractors don’t pay worker’s compensation insurance and other fees, so they are able to underbid licensed contractors following the law.
“It is important we do everything we can to protect the hardworking contractors who are trying to do it right.” Ramsey said in the news release. “The joint effort is also aimed at protecting the citizens of Paradise as they try to rebuild and reestablish their lives.”
Ramsey said he understands the pressure Paradise residents feel while trying to rebuild and move forward with their lives with a lack of resources and available licensed contractors, along with increasing costs. Ramsey said unlicensed contractors use that desperation and often leave clients with poor quality work or no work at all.
The prosecutor also said homeowners should know their rights and protections when using a contractor, such as not fully paying for services before the work is completed.
Residents can research contractors online through the Contractors State Licensing Board website for the current license status and worker’s compensation insurance coverage.
Anyone with questions or concerns regarding what is lawful or not can send an email to the District Attorney’s Office Investigations Bureau at dafraud@buttecounty.net or call the Paradise Police Department on its non-emergency number 530-872-6241.
This story was originally published February 1, 2022 at 5:32 PM.
