CFO Jimmy Patronis Announces 10 Arrests in Pinellas County Unlicensed Contractor and Workers’ Comp Fraud Sting
6/18/2019
OLDSMAR, Fla. – Chief Financial Officer (CFO) Jimmy Patronis announced the arrest of 10 individuals during a three-day unlicensed contracting and workers’ compensation fraud sting in Pinellas County. The joint operation between CFO Patronis’ fraud detectives 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.
CFO Jimmy Patronis said, “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. My fraud detectives have made nearly 600 arrests for working without workers' compensation insurance coverage since I've been in office.
"Taking advantage of Floridians is despicable, and those who do so will be caught and held accountable. I applaud the great teamwork between my fraud detectives and the Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office on this successful sting operation.”
From June 1-3, CFO Patronis’ fraud detectives and the Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office, conducted a joint sting operation that caught individuals allegedly agreeing to perform work without a license and without proper workers’ compensation insurance coverage.
The following 10 individuals were arrested on charges related to 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. Individuals charged with a crime are presumed innocent until proven guilty. If convicted on both charges, individuals face up to 5 years in prison.
To report suspected contractor fraud, call our Fraud Hotline toll-free at 1-800-378-0445 or repot online at FraudFreeFlorida.com. People reporting fraud can remain anonymous.
CFO Jimmy Patronis said, “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. My fraud detectives have made nearly 600 arrests for working without workers' compensation insurance coverage since I've been in office.
"Taking advantage of Floridians is despicable, and those who do so will be caught and held accountable. I applaud the great teamwork between my fraud detectives and the Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office on this successful sting operation.”
From June 1-3, CFO Patronis’ fraud detectives and the Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office, conducted a joint sting operation that caught individuals allegedly agreeing to perform work without a license and without proper workers’ compensation insurance coverage.
The following 10 individuals were arrested on charges related to 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. Individuals charged with a crime are presumed innocent until proven guilty. If convicted on both charges, individuals face up to 5 years in prison.
To report suspected contractor fraud, call our Fraud Hotline toll-free at 1-800-378-0445 or repot online at FraudFreeFlorida.com. People reporting fraud can remain anonymous.