FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Tues., April 6, 2021
CONTACT:
Breanna Bang, Public Information Liaison
AZ ROC March 2021
Unlicensed Adjudication Highlights
PHOENIX, Ariz., (Tues., April 6, 2021) – Arizona Registrar of Contractors (AZ ROC) closed five unlicensed investigations after they were successfully adjudicated in Scottsdale, Kingman, Bullhead City, and Phoenix courts last month.
Scottsdale
On March 24, 2021, Andre Perez Alvarez, 47 of Phoenix, pleaded guilty to Contracting Without a License, a Class 1 Misdemeanor, in the City of Scottsdale Court.
The charge stems from a 2019 AZ ROC investigation that found Alvarez contracted to do hardscaping work, including installing an irrigation system, pavers and stucco at a Scottsdale home for $20,000. Work was slow and went past the agreed upon deadline. Alvarez took $6,000 for the job before he stopped showing up and answering the homeowners calls. Additionally the work he did complete was poor and needed to be redone.
Alvarez agreed to pay $3,200 in restitution to the homeowners and $1,895 in court fines and fees as a part of the plea agreement.
Kingman
On March 17, 2021, Chris Keith Stevens, 48 of Kingman, pleaded guilty to Contracting Without a License, a Class 1 Misdemeanor, in the Bullhead City Municipal Court.
The charge stems from a 2020 AZ ROC investigation that found Stevens contracted to paint the inside of a Kingman home for $3,000. The homeowner filed a complaint with AZ ROC after Stevens failed to address problems with the work, like overspray and painted-over electrical outlets.
Stevens agreed to pay $1,533 in restitution to the homeowner and $1,943 in court fines and fees and serve 18 months of unsupervised probation as a part of the plea agreement.
Phoenix
On March 15, 2021, Charles Arthur Hahn, 70 of Glendale, was ordered by the Desert Ridge Justice Court to pay $24,000 in restitution to a Phoenix homeowner.
Hahn, DBA C & K II LLC, pleaded guilty to Contracting Without a License, a Class 1 Misdemeanor, on February 10, 2021.
The charge stemmed from a 2020 AZ ROC investigation that found Hahn contracted to remodel a Carefree home for $9,339. Not only did Hahn not finish the project, but the cost of the remodel increased to more than three times the original contract price. After being paid over $30,000 for labor and materials, Hahn walked off the job leading the homeowner to file a complaint with AZ ROC.
Bullhead City
On March 2, 2021, Gary Deshan Lane, 44 of Fort Mohave, pleaded guilty to Contracting Without a License, a Class 1 Misdemeanor, in the Bullhead City Municipal Court.
The charge stems from a 2020 AZ ROC investigation that found Lane, DBA Elite Home Investments, contracted to partially remodel the master bathroom and lay kitchen tiles in a Bullhead City home for $3,039. The homeowners found Lane through Neighborhood, a community website, and decided to hire him for the job.
Lane started the job, but the work was poor and needed to be completely redone. After spending $5,880 in labor and materials, the homeowners confronted Lane about the poor work, which he failed to resolve. The homeowners ended up filing an unlicensed complaint with AZ ROC.
Lane agreed to pay $5,880 in restitution to the homeowners and $816 in court fines and fees as a part of the plea agreement. Lane was also sentenced to 60 days in jail and 24 months of unsupervised probation, however, that sentence was suspended as long as he complies with all the terms of his probation.
Phoenix
On Fri., March 12, 2021, at approximately 10:00 PM, Joseph E. Papay III, 41 of Phoenix, was arrested by the Phoenix Police Department at his Phoenix home on three warrants from three different Maricopa County Justice Courts.
Each of the warrants relate to failing to pay fines and restitution from three prior convictions for Contracting Without a License, stemming from three separate AZ ROC investigations.
Papay is scheduled to appear in the Arcadia Justice Court on April 15, 2021 at 1:30 PM.
AZ ROC investigated 10 cases against Papay, DBA Hephaestus Construction and Craftsman and Design Services since 2008. Over the years, ROC investigations show Papay has taken $24,770 from Phoenix, Mesa and Chandler homeowners for projects that were either not started, not completed or where the work was poor.
General Information
AZ ROC frequently receives complaints regarding unlicensed entities exploiting property owners ranging from poor work to complete abandonment. If hiring someone else to do the work and the entire project, including labor and materials, is over $1,000 or requires a permit by the local municipality, the company performing the work must be licensed.
AZ ROC reminds property owners to ask contractors of their license status and to check the license using the contractor search at www.roc.az.gov or giving the Agency a call at 1-877-692-9762.
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