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Five men face charges over alleged unlicensed contracting in Eaton Fire rebuilding efforts
Nathan Hochman attends a Housing Initiative Court session in Hermosa Beach on Nov. 13, 2024.
(
Jae C. Hong
/
AP
)
Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan Hochman announced charges Thursday against five men accused of engaging in unlicensed contracting work in the Eaton Fire burn zone.
In a news conference, Hochman said unlicensed contractors may promise to rebuild destroyed homes faster and cheaper, but they can expose homeowners to faulty workmanship, liability for worker injuries and sometimes outright theft.
“This increases the likelihood of fraud,” Hochman said. “You’re going to give them a whole bunch of money upfront, and you may never see them again.”
-
With ICE raids causing families to lose income, Southeast L.A. city is the latest to give tenants a safeguard if they’ve fallen behind on rent. -
A proposed city fee update would have dramatically increased how much people have to pay to appeal approvals of new housing projects. -
The lawsuit alleges politicians illegally blocked a state housing density law in neighborhoods rebuilding from the Palisades and Eaton fires.
The five men charged are:
- Daniel Escarzaga, 28
- Andrew Escarzaga, 27
- Edgar Geovanni Lopez Revolorio, 42
- Melvin Hairon Mejia Ordonez, 41
- Guillermo Ramirez, 54
The defendants have not yet been arraigned in Los Angeles County Superior Court, according to prosecutors. It’s not yet clear if each has an attorney.
In four separate complaints, the district attorney alleges the men were contracting without licenses during a natural disaster, a felony violation of California’s business and professions code.
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Hochman said an investigation by his office found the men knew they were operating without a license but held out their services to fire victims anyway.
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Hydee Feldstein Soto called an opposing side’s expert witness for campaign money before a high-profile trial this fall. Her campaign says she didn’t know about the connection. -
USC found that 25% of those with food insecurity make more than 300% the federal poverty level. -
A state law extended mortgage forbearance for up to a year, but survivors say there’s far more to do.
Rebuilding is just getting underway for many families. Most have yet to break ground, but a small group of homeowners already have rebuilt structures lost during the fire.
L.A. County Supervisor Kathryn Barger, who represents Altadena, said at the news conference that homeowners should turn to vetted lists of licensed contractors as they map out their plans.
“Hiring unlicensed contractors often ends up costing more in the long run,” she said.
Hochman said the defendants are expected to be arraigned Jan. 8.
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