State cracks down on illegal activity
As the state of our economy tops the headlines, many of us find ourselves
struggling to discover more effective ways to use resources and to protect
our livelihood. We are doing the same at the Department of Business and
Professional Regulation.
My thoughts turn to our licensees, such as Monarcha Marcet, with whom I met
while "On the Road to Better Business." Marcet shared her concerns about
unlicensed activity, and during this economic downturn, I think of my
conversation with her and about our law-abiding, state-licensed
professionals who are losing work to unlicensed individuals, who don't carry
insurance, provide workers compensation or withhold Social Security.
Recently, we conducted a statewide unlicensed-activity sweep, checking more
than 500 licenses and issuing 86 citations, 16 cease-and-desist orders and
15 notices of noncompliance. In the Orlando area, staff conducted four
compliance sweeps, checking 135 licenses, issuing 15 citations and opening
two cases.
Beth McGee, executive director of the Home Builders Association of Metro
Orlando, wrote to me that "strong enforcement against unlicensed contractors
helps prevent consumers from being victimized."
Unlicensed activity also poses dangers to consumers, including assuming
responsibility for workers compensation, supervision of work, payroll
deductions and more. By trying to save a buck, consumers can end up paying
dearly.
Our job is not to put people out of work; our job is to bring people into
compliance with state law and protect Floridians and visitors. -- Charles W.
Drago, secretary, Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation