TULARE COUNTY – About half of the contractors in Tulare County are operating without a license and proper insurance.
During a two-day compliance check on March 7 and 8, investigators from the Tulare County District Attorney’s Office Workers’ Compensation Fraud Unit found that 18 of 36 businesses contacted were in compliance with the mandated State of California workers’ compensation insurance laws and carried the proper State Contractor’s license. The businesses included landscapers, construction companies, tree trimmers, garage door repair companies, and concrete masonry workers in Visalia and Porterville.
The noncompliant businesses were educated on the requirements regarding workers’ compensation insurance and holding the proper contractor’s license. Follow-up investigations will be conducted to ensure compliance with these companies has been met, and future compliance checks will be completed throughout the county in the coming months to ensure employers, employees, and consumers are all protected to the fullest extent of the law.
The purpose of the compliance check was to inform and educate local employers of the requirements of carrying the proper state-mandated contractor’s license and workers’ compensation insurance.
The Office of the District Attorney has a dedicated prosecutor and criminal investigator assigned to workers’ compensation fraud. Anyone with information regarding businesses allegedly out of State compliance may contact Assistant Chief Gilbert Cardenas at 559-636-5410.
