Bradenton Targets Unlicensed Contractors in "Operation Unhandyman"; 9 Arrested

The following is a press release from the Bradenton Police Department: 

On December 4th and 5th, 2013, detectives from the Bradenton Police Department in conjunction with the Florida Department of Financial Services Division of Workers Compensation Bureau of Compliance, Department of Business and Professional Regulation, Manatee County Sheriff’s Office, Holmes Beach Police Department, and the State’s Attorney’s Office-White Collar Crime Division, conducted an undercover operation targeting unlicensed contractors.

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. If convicted, they face up to five years prison time for each workers’ compensation charge, and an additional one year for a first time unlicensed contractor charge; five years if a repeat offender.

The operation sought unlicensed contractors within Manatee County working without the required workers compensation insurance and contracting licenses. During the operation, undercover law enforcement agents arranged a meeting with the alleged unlicensed workers at a local home to obtain an estimate for construction work, and upon securing a quote, the unlicensed worker was taken into custody. The following arrests were made:

• Clifford Hatina, W/M, 39 years of age, Unlicensed Contracting-Misdemeanor of the First Degree (1 Count), Failure to Secure Workers Compensation Insurance-Felony of the Third Degree (1 Count).
• Michael Kantor, W/M, 57 years of age, Unlicensed Contracting-Misdemeanor (1 Count), Workers Compensation Fraud-Felony of the First Degree (1 Count).
• Scott Rodocker, W/M, 50 years of age, Unlicensed Contracting-Misdemeanor (1 Count), Workers Compensation Fraud-Felony of the First Degree (1 Count).
• Allen R Arthur, W/M, 52 years of age, Unlicensed Contracting-Misdemeanor (1 Count), Workers Compensation Fraud-Felony of the First Degree (1 Count).
• Walter Powe, W/M, 53 years of age, Unlicensed Contracting-Misdemeanor (1 Count), Workers Compensation Fraud-Felony of the First Degree (1 Count).
• Christopher Myrick, B/M 48 years of age, Unlicensed Contracting-Misdemeanor (1 Count), Workers Compensation Fraud-Felony of the First Degree (1 Count).
• David Perez, H/M, 51 years of age, Unlicensed Contracting-Misdemeanor (1 Count), Workers Compensation Fraud-Felony of the First Degree (1 Count).
• Adam Mark Levine, W/M, 44 years of age, Unlicensed Contracting-Misdemeanor (1 Count), Workers Compensation Fraud-Felony of the First Degree (1 Count) Unregistered Electrical Contracting-Misdemeanor of the First Degree (1 Count).
• Paul Ward, W/M, 52 years of age, Unlicensed Contracting-Misdemeanor (1 Count), Workers Compensation Fraud-Felony of the First Degree (1 Count).

Captain Fowler remarked that he was very pleased with the results of this operation, and the initiative of the Detectives in taking part in “Operation Unhandyman”.  Operations such as this will continue to focus on unlicensed contractors performing work within the City of Bradenton, and also ensure that those that are licensed, are operating in compliance with the provisions set forth in Florida State Statue 440 and 489.

Anyone having information with regard unlicensed contractors is asked to call Detective Adrian Meridan at (941) 932-9326 or Detective Nasario Camacho (941) 932-9312. Or, to remain anonymous and be eligible for a cash reward of up to $1,000, call Crime Stoppers (toll free) at 1-866-634-8477 (TIPS) or send an anonymous E-Tip thru the web at www.manateecrimestoppers.com  

Professional licenses can also be verified online at www.myfloridalicense.com. Additionally, Floridians should report any suspected unlicensed activity by emailing ULA@myfloridalicense.com or calling the Unlicensed Activity Hotline at 1-866-532-1440.