San Rafael, CA – The Marin County District Attorney's Office Insurance Fraud Unit, in collaboration with the Marin County Probation Department Enforcement team, served arrest warrants February 21 on Novato resident Victor Mauricio Mendez Rodas for contracting without a license, failing to secure workers’ compensation insurance, and violations of his probation.
The Insurance Fraud Unit began investigating Rodas in 2019 when unit staff determined Rodas was performing contracting services for an 83-year-old homeowner in San Rafael. The homeowner reported becoming suspicious when Rodas demanded additional payments for unauthorized work and failed to get required permits for the work. The Insurance Fraud Unit determined that Rodas was not licensed by the Contractor's State Licensing Board and had failed to obtain workers' compensations insurance for those working at the job site.
According to court records, Rodas is on probation in Marin for a 2017 conviction for unlicensed contracting work.
The District Attorney's Office reminds homeowners of the importance of working with licensed contractors any time they are considering a home improvement project. Homeowners can look up prospective contractors to ensure that they are licensed and insured at the Contractor's State Licensing Board's website. Any Marin residents hired or solicited by Rodas for contracting work are urged to contact the Insurance Fraud Unit at 415-473-6450.
Penalties for contracting without a license can include six months in county jail and a $5,000 fine for a first offense. Penalties for failing to secure workers' compensation insurance can include up to 1 year in jail and a minimum of a $10,000 fine.