PLACERVILLE, Calif. — A Placerville man who advertised painting and roofing services on Craigslist and used another person’s contractor license number to win work has been sentenced after prosecutors said he bilked elderly clients and left them out of pocket.
Prosecutors say Patrick Daniel Jordan placed ads for painting and roofing work that included a contractor license number that did not belong to him. After contracting with elderly homeowners, Jordan allegedly used employee labor without obtaining the legally required workers’ compensation insurance, then falsely told clients a final check had bounced and pressured them to provide a second cashier’s check — effectively charging some victims twice, officials said. When the victims later could not reach him, they sought help from El Dorado County Adult Protective Services, which referred the matter to the District Attorney’s Office.
Jordan pleaded guilty Aug. 29, 2025, to a felony violation of California Business and Professions Code §7027.3 for using another person’s contractor license number with intent to defraud, and to a misdemeanor violation of California Labor Code §3700.5 for using employee labor without securing workers’ compensation coverage.
“By law, offenders like Jordan can be ordered to pay back victims with 10% interest,” the El Dorado County District Attorney’s Office said in a news release summarizing the case.
After hearing victim-impact statements on Sept. 2, 2025, Judge Ashworth sentenced Jordan to two years of formal probation and 45 days in county jail. The court ordered probation conditions that include search-and-seizure terms, a stay-away order from the victims and a prohibition on contracting without a valid license and insurance. A $10,000 fine was imposed but suspended so long as Jordan successfully completes probation; he was taken into custody immediately to begin serving his sentence. A restitution hearing will determine the amount Jordan must repay the victims.
Legal context: under California law, fraudulently using someone else’s contractor license number is a prosecutable offense that can be charged as a misdemeanor or a felony depending on the circumstances, and failing to secure workers’ compensation for employees is itself a misdemeanor. Penalties can include jail time, substantial fines and restitution to victims.
What this means for neighbors and homeowners
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Verify any contractor before hiring: the Contractors State License Board (CSLB) provides an online license lookup and a hotline to check license status, complaint history and the licensee’s address of record. Never rely solely on a license number shown on an ad — look it up.
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Don’t pay the full amount up front; insist on a written contract that lists the contractor’s legal business name and license number, and confirm workers’ compensation insurance is in effect if workers will be on the job.
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If you suspect fraud, contact Adult Protective Services (for vulnerable adults), your local law enforcement agency, the El Dorado County District Attorney’s Office, or file a complaint with the CSLB.
The case underscores a recurring problem: unlicensed or uninsured contractors can offer lower bids but leave homeowners — particularly older or vulnerable residents — exposed to financial loss and safety risks. Consumer-protection officials urge prospective customers to verify licenses and insurance before work begins.
