10 Arrests Made in Florida Unlicensed Contractor, Workers’ Comp Fraud Sting

Ten individuals have been arrested in a three-day unlicensed contracting and workers’ compensation fraud sting in Pinellas County, Fla., according to a statement from Florida CFO Jimmy Patronis.

The joint operation between fraud detectives with the Florida Department of Financial Services, which Patronis oversees, and the Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office, dubbed ‘Operation Stonewall’, was launched to address unlicensed contractors who were both working without a required contractor license and without required workers’ compensation coverage.

From June 1-3, fraud detectives and the Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office, conducted a joint sting operation that caught contractors allegedly agreeing to perform work without a license and without the proper workers’ compensation insurance coverage.

The following 10 individuals were arrested on charges of contracting without a license and failure to secure workers’ compensation insurance coverage: Randy Allen Jeziorski, Kerrigan Leo Cowles, Sidney Lisojo, Jason Robert Gamache, Kris Douglas Kelley, Dennis Disney Garlock, Nicholas Guiseppe D’Alessandro, Marcello McIntosh, Richard Thomas Ouellete, Alberto Chanelo.

All individuals were booked into the Pinellas County Jail. If convicted, each face up to 5 years in prison.

“As we’ve seen in the wake of Hurricanes Irma and Michael, unlicensed activity puts homeowners at risk for fraud, and contractors working without workers’ compensation coverage can leave employees and property owners vulnerable,” Patronis said.

Patronis noted DFS fraud detectives have made nearly 600 arrests for working without workers’ compensation insurance coverage since he took office in 2017.

Source: Florida Department of Financial Services

Topics Florida Fraud Workers' Compensation Contractors