REDDING MAN RECEIVES PRISON FOR CONTRACTING FRAUD, WELFARE FRAUD AND BAD CHECKS

 

February 11, 2009

 

PRESS RELEASE

 

This morning a Redding man was sentenced to five years in State Prison following his conviction for Fraudulent Use of a Contractor’s License, Grand Theft, Welfare Fraud and passing Non-Sufficient Funds Checks.  Judge James Ruggiero sentenced Guillermo Gomez-Guizar, 44, after he pled guilty to five felony charges and a special allegation of Theft in Excess of $100,000.00.   

Guizar told the victims that he was a licensed contractor, and made business cards stating that fact, using a Contractor’s License number which was not his.  He convinced the victims to hire him to build a house for them.  During the construction, Guizar systematically stole money from the construction loan funds, and made false receipts showing that subcontractors had been paid to cover up his thefts.  He abandoned the job after taking $118,809.91 from the victims.  The unpaid subcontractors placed liens on the victims’ home which the victims had to repay. 

Guizar was also on welfare at the time he was committing the thefts, and failed to report the money as income, resulting in overpayments of $5,470.00 in cash aid to himself and his girlfriend, Yolanda Ramirez.  Guizar and Ramirez also failed to report income from Guizar’s subsequent job as a landscaper, and her job at a school.  Both Guizar and Ramirez were convicted of writing bad checks in the amount of approximately $9,000.00.  Ramirez was ordered to serve 60 days in jail for her crimes.

This case is an excellent example of why citizens should be vigilant about whom they enter into construction contracts with.  Consumers should be encouraged to check references and verify the license status of those they intend to hire for contracting work. Anyone with internet access can check whether a person is properly licensed by going to the Contractor’s State Licensing Board website at: http://www.cslb.ca.gov/.  

Deputy District Attorney Erin M. Dervin of the Consumer Protection Division of the Shasta County District Attorney’s Office prosecuted the case.  Investigator Rob Wilson of the Redding Police Department investigated the case.

Questions about this case may be directed to Deputy District Attorney Erin M. Dervin at (530) 245-6300.