17 Unlicensed Contractors Nabbed During Pinellas Sheriff's Sting

BELLEAIR BLUFFS, FL — Seventeen unlicensed contractors have been arrested following an undercover sting operation led by the Pinellas County Sheriff's Office that resulted in 38 criminal charges.

The sheriff's office, Florida Department of Financial Services and Pinellas-Pasco State Attorney conducted the sting from Oct. 9-11 at a vacant home in Belleair Bluffs, subsequently arresting 17 unlicensed contractors working in Pinellas County on 38 charges including unlicensed specialty contracting violations and workers compensation fraud.

During the operation, undercover detectives were solicited by people found advertising on Facebook, Craigslist, Next Door and other social media platforms who offered to perform illegal contracting work at the home.

The unlicensed contractors came to the home and met with undercover detectives, offering to do a variety of work including electrical, plumbing, concrete work, painting, drywall and tile work. All agreed to do the work without a license and without pulling a permit.

Since the sheriff's first undercover operation on Aug. 7, 2017, 188 unlicensed contractors have been arrested on 404 criminal charges after offering to do work totaling $880,000.

Residents in Pinellas County can search for licensed contractors or report unlicensed construction activity by visiting the Pinellas County Construction Licensing Board or by contacting the Pinellas County Sheriff's Office at (727) 582-6200.