Capitol Police with the assistance of Nevada Highway Patrol arrested unlicensed contractor James Drumstas, owner of Mountain Woodworks LLC for two outstanding warrants.
The two warrants were issued by the Washoe County District Attorney's Office for misdemeanor charges related to contracting without a license and felony charges for obtaining money under false pretenses.
Officials say that The Nevada State Contractors' Board had opened six investigations involving Drumstas for allegations of workmanship, project abandonment, and obtaining money under false pretenses.
They say that Drumstas had allegedly contracted for a variety of carpentry-type work, and taken large deposits without completing projects and that the people making the complaints are unable to find recourse through the Board's Residential Recover Fund because of Drumstas's status as an unlicensed contractor.
Officials say that each person will have to wait for resolution through the courts and the outcome of prosecution where if prosecuted the District Attorney's Office may determine and order restitution.
They say that people who hire licensed contractors have four years from the start of their project to file a complaint with the Nevada State Contractor's Board, at which point the board opens an investigation and if validated a Notice to Correct is issued, if the contractor fails to comply disciplinary action can be taken and the consumer could file a claim for damages up to $40,000 from the Residential Recovery Fund.
The Nevada State Contractor's Board says that licenses can be verified on their website at Nevada State Contractors Board – Measure up…use licensed contractors, on the NSCB mobile application or by calling one of the board offices, they explain that a consumer should make sure that the contractor's contact information mirrors what they provided, that the license is in 'Active' status and that the license matches the work they intend to have performed.
