06-001934 Department Of Business And Professional Regulation vs. Benjamin Krick, D/B/A Bk And H Corporation
 Status: Closed
Recommended Order on Monday, October 9, 2006.


View Dockets  
Summary: Respondent is guilty of unlicensed contracting and unlicensed electrical contracting. Recommend $1,000 fine for each count, and $604.44 in investigative costs.

1STATE OF FLORIDA

4DIVISION OF ADMINISTRATIVE HEARINGS

8DEPARTMENT OF BUSINESS AND )

13PROFESSIONAL REGULATION, )

16)

17Petitioner, )

19)

20vs. ) Case Nos. 06 - 1929

27) 06 - 1934

31BENJAMIN KRICK, d/b/a BK AND H )

38CORPORATION, )

40)

41Respondent. )

43)

44RECOMMENDED ORDER

46A duly - noticed final hearing was held in th ese c ase s by

61Administrative Law Judge T. Kent Wetherell, II, on July 27,

71200 6 , in Naples , Florida , and by telephone on August 18, 2006.

83APPEARANCES

84For Peti tioner: Brian A. Higgins, Esquire

91Department of Business and

95Professional Regulation

971940 North Monroe Street

101Tallahassee, Florida 32399 - 2202

106For Respondent : Benjamin Krick, pro se

1136025 English Oaks Lane

117Naples, Florida 34119

120ST ATEMENT OF THE ISSUE

125The issue is whether Respondent committed the acts alleged

134in the Administrative Complaints and, if so, what penalty is

144appropriate.

145PRELIMINARY STATEMENT

147The Department of Business and Professional Regulation

154(Department) alleged in separate Administrative Complaints dated

161December 12, 2005, that Respondent performed unlicensed

168contracting and unlicensed electrical contracting. Respondent

174disputed the allegations i n the Administrative Complaints and

183requested a hearing pursuant to Se ction 120.57(1), Florida

192Statutes .

194On May 26, 2006, t he Department referred th ese cases to the

207Division of Administrative Hearings (DOAH) for the assignment of

216an A dministrative L aw J udge to conduct the hearing requested by

229Respondent . The referral was r e ceived by DOAH on May 30, 2006,

243and the cases were consolidated by Order dated June 6, 2006.

254The final h earing was schedul ed for July 27, 2006 , in

266Naples . Respondent requested a continuance of the hearing i n a

278letter dated June 27, 2006 . The request was opposed by the

290Department and was denied by Order dated July 5, 2006.

300Respondent renewed his request for a continuance at the

309outset of the final hearing . The request was denied .

320The final hearing commenced as scheduled on July 27, 2006,

330but it was not concluded on that date. Consistent with the

341procedure upheld in Malave v. Department of Health , 881 So. 2d

352682 (Fla. 5th DCA 2004), the record was left open to allow

364Respondent to testify after the criminal case pending against

373him based upon the conduct g iving rise to the Admi nistrative

385Complaints was resolved . The final hearing reconvened by

394telephone on August 18 , 2006, and was concluded on that date.

405At the final hearing, the Department presented the

413testimony of Robert Brown and Michael Ossorio . The Department 's

424Exhibits 1 through 11 were received into evidence. Respondent

433testified in his own behalf and presented the testimony of

443Kimberly Frye . Respondent's Exhibits R - 1, R - 2, and R - 3 were

459received into evidence.

462The one - volume Transcript of the fi nal hearing was filed on

475September 15, 2006 . The parties were given 10 da ys from that

488date to file pr oposed recommended orders (PROs) . The Department

499filed a PRO on September 22 , 2006. Respondent did not file a

511PRO. The Department’s PRO has been given due consideration.

520A ll statutory references in this Recommended Order are to

530the 2004 version of the Florida Statutes that was in effect at

542the time of the conduct g iving rise t o the Administrative

554Complaints, unless otherwise indicated.

558FINDINGS OF FACT

5611. Respondent provides “handyman” services through BK and

569H Corporation.

5712. Respondent is not licensed by the Department as a

581contractor or an electrical contractor, and his corporation is

590not licensed by or registered with the Department in those

600fields .

6023. Respondent’s corporation has an occupational license

609from Collier County. The classification listed on the license

618is “handyman repair service (no contracting).”

6244. The occupational license includes the notation “ H IGHLY

634RESTRICTED” in bold type . The license also states that it “is

646not a certification that the licensee is qualified” and that it

657“does not permit the licensee to violate any existing regulatory

667zoning laws of the state, county or cities nor does it exempt

679the licensee from any other l icense or permits that may be

691required by law. ”

6955. On or about April 1 1, 2005, Respondent pr esented a

707written “ E stimate” to Robert Brown for a variety of work that

720Mr. Brown wanted done to his home. The E stimate was on the

733letterhead of Respondent ’s cor poration .

7406. Respondent testified that the E stimat e was not a

751proposal for work to be performed, but rather was an itemized

762list of the work that he and others hired by Mr. Brown had

775already performed and that Mr. Brown had already paid for .

786Respondent’ s testimony regarding the purpose of the E stimate was

797not credible .

8007. First, if, as Respondent claims, the E stimate was

810intended to be an itemization of work that had already been

821performed and that Mr. Brown had already paid for, there would

832have been n o reason for Mr. Brown to pay additional mon ey to

846Respondent after April 11, 2005, as he did ( see Finding s of Fact

86012 and 13 ), and there would also have been no reason for

873Mr. Brown to execute a power of attorney after that date to give

886Respondent authorit y to “pull” building permits on Mr. Brown’s

896behalf ( see Finding s of Fact 15 and 16 ).

9078. Second, Respondent’s characterization of the E stimate

915is inconsistent with that of his fiancé e , Kimberly Frye, who

926credibly testified that she prepared the document “b ased on some

937handwritten notes after Mr. Brown and [Respondent] first

945initiated [sic] at the home, and they made a list of items that

958Mr. Brown solicited from [Respondent] to do services.” 1

9679. The more persuasive evidence clearly and convincingly

975establis hes that the E stimate was a proposal by Respondent to

987perform the work listed on the E stimate at Mr. Brown’s home for

1000compensation .

100210. The work listed on the E stimate included electrical

1012work ( e.g. , installation of a 200 Amp service outlet box and two

1025li ghts in the front yard ) ; structural work ( e.g. , repairs to

1038Mr. Brown’s roof and the removal and replacement of a pool

1049deck ) ; and other miscellaneous remodeling work inside and around

1059Mr. Brown’s home.

106211. The price listed on the E stimate was $8,500 . That

1075amount did not include the cost of materials, which according to

1086the E stimate, were to be paid for by Mr. Brown.

109712. On April 25, 2005, Mr. Brown paid Respondent $2,000 in

1109cash “toward labor” and $500 in cash “toward materials.”

1118Mr. Brown paid Responde nt an additional $2,000 in cash on

1130May 15, 2005, and another $2,000 by check on June 16, 2005 .

114413. Respondent acknowledged receiving $6,000 from

1151Mr. Brown related to the work lis ted on the E stimate. 2

116414. Respondent claimed that he was only ser ving as a

1175conduit for the money and that he paid the money to other people

1188that Mr. Brown had hired to perform work on his home at the same

1202time Respondent was working there. Respondent did not present

1211any evidence to corrobor ate this self - serving testimony, and i t

1224i s not found credible.

122915. On April 25, 2005, Mr. Brown executed a document

1239titled “Specific Powe r of Attorney for Collier Count y and City

1251of Naples.” The document purports to give Respondent “power of

1261[Mr. Brown’s] signature for any and all necessary permits,

1270inspections and permit pick up” related to the work on

1280Mr. Brown’s home.

128316. According to Respondent, the document was prepared and

1292given to him by Mr. Brown so that he could “pull” owner - builder

1306permits from the Collier County and/or the City of Naples on

1317Mr. Brown’s behalf.

132017. An owner - builder permit allows the work to be

1331performed by or under the direct onsite supervision of the owner

1342of the building. It does not allow the work to be delegated by

1355the owner (through a power of attorney or o therwise) to an

1367unlicensed contractor, such as Respondent.

137218. Mr. Brown tes tified that he asked Respondent whether

1382he was a licensed general contractor and Respondent told h im

1393that he was. Respondent testified that he told Mr. Brown on

1404several occasion s that he was not a licensed contractor.

1414Respondent’s testimony was corroborated by Ms. Frye.

142119. Mr. Brown’s testimony on this issue was not credible,

1431and it is more likely than not based upon the totality of the

1444circumstances -- cash payments, preparat ion of the power of

1454attorney, Mr. Brown’s overall demeanor while testifying, etc. --

1463that Mr. Brown knew , or had reason to believe , that Respondent

1474was not a licensed contractor.

147920. Respondent testified that the only work that he

1488personally performed at Mr. Brown’s house was the installation

1497of flooring, drywall, and closet doors. He claimed tha t the

1508other work listed on the E stimate , including the electrical

1518work, was performed by other persons hired by Mr. Brown .

152921. Respondent denied that he was resp onsible for

1538supervising the other persons that he contends were working on

1548Mr. Brown’s home, although he testified that Mr. Brown gave him

1559money to pay those workers. Respondent did not identify any of

1570the other workers who, according to him, performed wo rk on

1581Mr. Brown’s home and that he allegedly paid on Mr. Brown’s

1592behalf.

159322. Mr. Brown was at work while Respondent was working on

1604his home. He did not provide direct on - site supervision of

1616Respondent .

161823. Mr. Brown did not observe other persons working with

1628Respondent on his home, except for one occasion that Respondent

1638had a “helper” with him. The identity of that person, and the

1650work that he or she performed , is unknown.

165824. Mr. Brown did not personally see Respondent performing

1667all of the work list ed on the E stimate. He did, however, see

1681Respondent working on the water heater , an electr ical switch in

1692the laundry room, and the ceiling fans.

169925. Respondent’s testimony regarding the limited scope of

1707the work that he performed on Mr. Brown’s home was not credible

1719or persuasive, and the totality of the evidence clearly and

1729convincingly establ ishes that Respondent offered to perform and

1738did perform contracting and electrical contracting work at

1746Mr. Brown’s home.

174926. At some point after Respondent stopp ed working at

1759Mr. Brown’s home , Mr. Brown was advised by an electrical

1769contractor that some of the electrical work needed to be redone

1780because it posed a fire risk. Mr. Brown had the work redone by

1793a n electrical contractor, which cost him $2,400. He was also

1805require d to pay $400 to Florida Power and Light for some reason.

181827. Thereafter, Mr. Brown filed complaints against

1825Respondent with the Department and with Collier County.

183328. After investigating the complaints, Collier County

1840issued two citations t o Respondent and imposed fines totaling

1850$900. The fine s were not based upon the performance of

1861unlicensed contracting or elect rical contracting, but rather

1869were based upon Respondent advertising his a bility to provide

1879those services through the Estimate .

188529. Respondent did not contest the fines imposed by

1894Collier County. He paid the fines in full.

190230. The Department provided its investigative file related

1910to this incident to the State Attorney’s Office (SAO) in Collier

1921County , as it was required to do by Section 455.2277, Florida

1932Statutes.

193331. The SAO makes the decision whether to file criminal

1943charges against an individual for unlicensed contracting . The

1952Department is not involved in that decision.

195932. The SAO brought criminal charges against Respon dent

1968for the unlicensed contracting that he performe d at Mr. Brown’s

1979ho me , but t he case was “nol prossed” by the SAO.

199133. Respondent is in the process of applying for a general

2002contractor’s license from the Construction Industry Licensing

2009Board. He testi fied that he took and passed the licensing exam

2021on August 16, 2006.

202534. The Department incurred investigative costs of $296.99

2033related to Complaint No. 2005 - 042280, which is DOAH Case No.

204506 - 1929.

204835. The Department incurred investigative costs of $307. 45

2057related to Complaint No. 2005 - 042281, which is DOAH Case No.

206906 - 1934.

2072CONCLUSIONS OF LAW

2075A. Jurisdiction and Burden of Proof

208136. DOAH has jurisdiction over the parties to and subject

2091matter of this proceeding pursuant to Sections 120.569 and

21001 20.57(1 ), F lorida Statutes (200 6 ) .

211037. The Department has the burden to prove the allegations

2120in the Administrative Complaint s against Respondent by clear and

2130convincing evide nce. See Dept. of Banking & Finance v. Osborne,

2141Stern & Co. , 670 So. 2d 932 (Fla. 1996 ).

215138. The clear and convincing evidence standard requires

2159t hat the evidence “ must be of such weight that it produces in

2173the mind of the trier of fact a firm belief or conviction,

2185without hesitancy, as to the truth of the allegations sought to

2196be establis hed.” In re Davey , 645 So. 2d 398, 404 (Fla. 1994).

220939. The Department is not barred from prosecuting the

2218Administrative Complaints against Respondent as a result of the

2227fines imposed by Collier County or the criminal charges that

2237were “nol prossed” by the SAO. See , e.g. , § 489.13(7), Fla.

2248Stat. (explaining that the remedies set forth in Section 489.13,

2258Florida Statutes, are not exclusive and may be imposed in

2268addition to other penalties authorized by law).

2275B. Unlicensed Contracting (DOAH Case No. 06 - 1 929)

2285(1) Violation

228740. Contracting is regulated under Part I of Chapter 489,

2297Florida Statutes. See §§ 489.101 - .146, Fla. Stat.

230641. “Contractor” is defined as:

2311the person who . . . for compensation,

2319undertakes to, submits a bid to, or does

2327himself or he rself or by others construct,

2335repair, alter, remodel, add to, demolish,

2341subtract from, or improve any building or

2348structure, including related improvements to

2353real estate, for others or for resale to

2361others . . . .

2366§ 489.105(3), Fla. Stat.

237042. “Contract ing” is defined to mean:

2377engaging in business as a contractor and

2384includes, but is not limited to, performance

2391of any of the acts as set forth in

2400subsection (3) which define types of

2406contractors. The attempted sale of

2411contracting services and the negotiat ion or

2418bid for a contract on these services also

2426constitutes contracting. . . . .

2432§ 489.105 (6), Fla. Stat.

243743 . Section 489.103, Florida Statutes, exempts certain

2445contracting activities from regulation. None of those

2452exemptions apply to Respondent ’s wor k at Mr. Brown’s home .

246444 . The exemption referenced by R espondent in his

2474testimony 3 is not applicable because each item of work on the

2486Estimate was part of a contract that exceede d $1,000 , and

2498because the work involved was not “of a casual, minor, or

2509inco nsequential nature” because it involved structural work

2517( e. g. , roofing) and life - safety matters ( e . g . , electrical work).

2533See § 489.103(9)(a), Fla. Stat.; Fla. Admin. Code R. 61G4 -

254412.0 1 1(2).

254745 . Section 489.127(1)(f), Florida Statutes, provides that

2555no pe rson shall:

2559[e] ngage in the business or act in the

2568capacity of a contractor or advertise

2574himself or herself or a business

2580organization as available to engage in the

2587business or act in the capacity of a

2595contractor without being duly registered or

2601certified or having a certificate of

2607authority[.]

260846. Additionally, Section 489.13 (1) , Florida Statutes ,

2615provides that:

2617[a] ny person performing an activity

2623requiring licensure under this part as a

2630construction contractor is guilty of

2635unlicensed contracting if he o r she does not

2644hold a valid active certificate or

2650registration authorizing him or her to

2656perform such activity, regardless of whether

2662he or she holds a local construction

2669contractor license or local certificate of

2675competency. . . . .

268047 . T he evidence cl early and convincingly establishes that

2691Respondent is not licensed as a contractor; that the work he

2702proposed to do and that he did at Mr. Brown’s home meets the

2715definition of “contracting”; that he was compensated for his

2724work on Mr. Brown’s home; and tha t the contracting work he

2736performed i s not exempt from regulation under Part I of Chapter

2748489, Florida Statutes.

275148 . Therefore, the Department met its burden to prove that

2762Respondent is guilty of unlicensed cont racting in violation of

2772Sections 489.127(1)( f) and 489.13, Florida Statutes.

2779(2) Amount of Fine

278349 . T he Department is generally authorized to impose an

2794administrative fine “not to exceed $5,000 per incident” for

2804unlicensed activity. See § 455.228(1), Fla. Stat.

281150 . However, with respect to unlic ensed contracting under

2821Part I of Chapter 489, Florida Statutes , the Department is

2831authorized to impose an administrative fine of “up to $10,000.”

2842See § 489.13(3), Fla. Stat.

284751 . The Department is seeking a fine of $10,000 in this

2860case for Respondent’s unlicensed contracting. See Department’s

2867PRO, at 7.

287052 . The Department has not adopted guidelines to be used

2881in determining the appropriate fine within the range established

2890by Section 489.13, Florida Statutes, nor has it enumerated the

2900aggravating and m itigating circumstances that are to be

2909considered in determining the appropriate fine. See § 455.2273,

2918Fla. Stat. (requiring the Department to adopt disciplinary

2926guidelines which establish penalty ranges and designate

2933aggravating and mitigating circumstan ces and requiring the

2941Administrative Law Judge to follow the guidelines in the penalty

2951recommendation included in the Recommended Order).

295753 . In a recent case, a $1,000 penalty was recommended for

2970unlicensed contracting where it was the Respondent’s first

2978offense and no aggravating circumstances were present. See

2986Dep t . of Business & Professional Reg . v. Antoney Manning d/b/a

2999Manning Builders , Case No. 06 - 0601 , 2006 Fla. Div. Adm. Hear.

3011LEXIS 286 (DOAH June 28, 2006). 4

301854 . A fine of $ 1,0 00 for Respondent’ s unlicensed

3031contracting work is reasonable under the circumstances of this

3040case. First, there is no evidence that the contracting work

3050done by Respondent was defective, as was the case with the

3061electri cal contracting work. Second, a $900 fine has alread y

3072been imposed on Respondent as a result of this incident. Third,

3083since the incident, Respondent has made a diligent effort to

3093become a licensed contractor.

309755 . The Department is authorized to “waive up to one - half

3110of any fine imposed if the unlicensed c ontractor complies with

3121certification or registration within 1 year after imposition of

3130the fine under this subsection.” § 489.13(3), Fla. Stat. It

3140should do so in this case.

3146(3) Investigative Costs

314956 . Section 489.13(3), Florida Statutes, authorizes t he

3158Department to “assess reasonable investigative and legal costs

3166for prosecution of the violation against the unlicensed

3174contractor” in a ddition to any fine imposed. See also §

3185455.228(3)(c), Fla. Stat. (authorizing the Department to

3192“recover costs of in vestigation” in addition to any fine

3202imposed).

320357 . The evidence clearly and convincingly establishes that

3212the Department incurred $296.99 in investigative costs related

3220to DOAH Case No. 06 - 1929. No prosecution costs were sought.

3232C. Unlicensed Electrical Contracting

3236(DOAH Case No. 06 - 1934)

3242(1) Violation

324458 . Electrical contracting is regulated under Part II of

3254Chapter 489, Florida Statutes. See §§ 489.501 - .538, Fla. Stat.

326559 . Section 489.505, Florida Statutes, defines

3272“ contracting,” “contractor,” and “electrical contractor” as

3281follows:

3282(9) "Contracting" means, except where

3287exempted in this part, engaging in business

3294as a contractor or performing electrical . .

3302. work for compensation . . . . The

3311attempted sale of contracting services and

3317the negot iation or bid for a contract on

3326these services also constitutes contracting.

3331. . . .

3335(10) "Contractor" means a person who is

3342qualified to engage in the business of

3349electrical . . . contracting pursuant to a

3357certificate or registration issued by the

3363de partment.

3365* * *

3368(12) “Electrical contractor” . . . means

3375a person who conducts business in the

3382electrical trade field and who has the

3389experience, knowledge, and skill to install,

3395repair, alter, add to, or design, in

3402compliance with law, electrical wiring,

3407fixtures, appliances, apparatus, raceways,

3411conduit, or any part thereof, which

3417generates, transmits, transforms, or

3421utilizes electrical energy in any form,

3427including the electrical installations and

3432systems within plants and substations, all

3438in co mpliance with applicable plans,

3444specifications, codes, laws, and

3448regulations. The term means any person,

3454firm, or corporation that engages in the

3461business of electrical contracting under an

3467express or implied contract; or that

3473undertakes, offers to undert ake, purports to

3480have the capacity to undertake, or submits a

3488bid to engage in the business of electrical

3496contracting; or that does itself or by or

3504through others engage in the business of

3511electrical contracting.

3513§ 489.505(9), (10), (12), Fla. Stat.

351960 . Section 489.503, Florida Statutes, exempts certain

3527electrical contracting activities from regulation. None of

3534those exemptions apply to Respondent ’s work at Mr. Brown’s home .

354661 . Section 489.531, Florida Statutes, provides in

3554pertinent part:

3556(1) A p erson may not:

3562(a) Practice contracting unless the

3567person is certified or registered;

3572(b) . . . advertise himself or herself or

3581a business organization as available to

3587practice electrical . . . contracting, when

3594the person is not then the holder o f a valid

3605certification or registration issued

3609pursuant to this part;

3613* * *

3616§ 489.531(1)(a), (b), Fla. Stat.

362162 . A person who violates these prohibition s is subject to

3633criminal penalties. See § 489.531(3), Fla. Stat.

364063 . Part II of Chapter 489, Florida Statutes, does not

3651provide specific administrative penalties for unlicensed

3657electrical contracting. Compare § 489.13, Florida Statutes

3664(providing a specific administrative fine for unlicensed

3671contracting under Part I of Chapter 489, Florida Statut es).

368164 . Th us, th e authority for imposition of an

3692administrative fine for unlicensed electrical contracting is

3699Section 455.228, Florida Statutes. Subsection (1) of that

3707statute provides in pertinent part:

3712When the department has probable cause to

3719believe that any person not licensed by the

3727department . . . has violated . . . any

3737statute that relates to the practice of a

3745profession regulated by the department, or

3751any rule adopted pursuant thereto, the

3757department may . . . impose an

3764administrative penalty n ot to exceed $5,000

3772per incident pursuant to the provisions of

3779chapter 120 . . . .

3785§ 455.228(1), Fla. Stat.

378965 . T he evidence clearly and convincingly establishes that

3799Respondent is not licensed as an electrica l contractor; that the

3810work he proposed to d o and that he did at Mr. Brown’s home

3824i ncluded electrical contracting, as defined by statute ; that

3833Respondent was compensated for his work on Mr. Brown’s home; and

3844that the electrical c ontracting work performed by Respondent is

3854not exempt from regulation u nder Part II of Chapter 489, Florida

3866Statutes.

386766 . Therefore, the Department met its burden to prove that

3878Respondent is guilty of unlicensed contracting in violation of

3887Section s 455.228 and 489.531, Florida Statutes.

3894(2) Amount of Fine

389867 . S ection 455. 228(1), Florida Statutes, authorizes the

3908Department to impose an administrative fine “not to exceed

3917$5,000.”

391968 . The Department is seeking a fine of $ 5,000 in this

3933case for Respondent’s unlicensed electrical contracting . See

3941Department’s PRO, at 7.

394569 . The Department has not adopted guidelines to be used

3956in determining the appropriate fine within the range established

3965by Section 4 55.228 , Florida Statutes, nor has it enumerated the

3976a ggravating and mitigating circumstances that are to be

3985considered in de termining the appropriate fine. See § 455.2273,

3995Fla. Stat. (requiring the Department to adopt disciplinary

4003guidelines which establish penalty ranges and designate

4010aggravating and mitigating circumstances and requiring the

4017Administrative Law Judge to follo w the guidelines in the penalty

4028recommendation included in the Recommended Order).

403470 . In a recent case, a $1,000 fine was imposed for

4047unlicensed electrical contracting where it was the Respondent’s

4055first offense and no aggravating circumstances were pres ent.

4064See Dept. of Business & Professional Reg. v. Thomas Joseph

4074Pyche, Sr., d/b/a Sundance Home Remodeling, Inc . , Case No.

408406 - 1145 (DOAH July 27, 2006 ; DBPR Sep. 27, 2006 ).

409671 . A $1, 0 00 fine for Respondent’s unlicensed electrical

4107contracting work is r easonable under the circumstances of this

4117case, taking into account the aggravating circumstance s ( e.g. ,

4127the electrical work performed by Respondent was defective and

4136cost Mr. Brown $2, 8 00 to remedy ) and the mitigating

4148circumstances ( e.g. , this was Respond ent’s first offense and he

4159has already been fined $900 by Collier County for this incident)

4170established by the evidence .

4175(3) Investigative Costs

417872 . Section 455.228(3)(c) , Florida Statutes, authorizes

4185the Department to “recover costs of investigation” in addition

4194to any fine imposed.

419873 . The evidence clearly and convincingly establishes that

4207the Department incurred $307.45 in investigative costs related

4215to DOAH Case No. 06 - 1934.

4222RECOMMENDATION

4223Based upon the foregoing F indings of F act and C onclusions

4235of L aw, it is

4240RECOMMENDED that the Department of Business and

4247Professional Regu lation issue a final order that :

42561 . finds Respondent guilty of unlicensed contracting in

4265violation of Section s 489.127(1)(f) and 489.13, Florida

4273Statutes , and imposes an administ rative fine of $ 1,0 0 0, with

4287$ 500 payable upon entry of t he final order and the other $ 500

4302payable one year from that date unless Respondent provides

4311satisfactory evidence to the Department that he obtained a state

4321contractor’s license within that period;

43262. finds Respondent guilty of unlicensed electrical

4333contracting in violation of Sections 455.228 and 455.531,

4341Florida Statutes , and imposes an administrative fine of $ 1,0 00 ;

4353and

43543. requir es Respondent to pay the Department’s

4362investigative costs of $604.4 4.

4367DONE AND ENTERED this 9th day of October , 200 6 , in

4378Tallahassee, Leon County, Florida.

4382S

4383T. KENT WETHERELL, II

4387Administrative Law Judge

4390Division of Administrative Hearings

4394The DeSoto Building

43971230 Apalachee Parkway

4400Tal lahassee, Florida 32399 - 3060

4406(850) 488 - 9675 SUNCOM 278 - 9675

4414Fax Filing (850) 921 - 6847

4420www.doah.state.fl.us

4421Filed with the Clerk of the

4427Division of Administrative Hearings

4431this 9th day of October , 2006 .

4438ENDNOTES

44391 / Transcript, at 60.

44442 / Transcript, at 91.

44493 / Transcript, at 80 (referring to Section 489.103(9), Florida

4459Statutes).

44604 / Compare Dept. of Business & Professional Reg. v. Domenick

4471Spallina d/b/a New Look Contracting, Inc. , Case No. 06 - 1949,

44822006 Fla. Div. Adm. Hear. LEXIS 440 (DOAH Sep. 13, 2006)

4493(recommending a $10,000 fine); Dept. of Business & Professional

4503Reg. v. Douglas Claiborne d/b/a Claiborne Home Improvement and

4512Maintnance Service , Case No. 06 - 1427, 2006 Fla. Div. Adm. Hear.

4524LEXIS 389 (DOAH A ug. 11, 2006) (recommending a $5,000 fine).

4536COPIES FURNISHED :

4539Nancy S. Terrel, Hearing Officer

4544Office of the General Counsel

4549Department of Business and

4553Professional Regulation

4555Northwood Centre

45571940 North Monroe Street

4561Tallahassee, Florida 32399 - 0792

4566Josefina Tamayo, General Counsel

4570Department of Business and

4574Professional Regulation

45761940 North Monroe Street

4580Tallahassee, Florida 32399 - 0792

4585Brian A. Higgins, Esquire

4589Department of Business and

4593Professional Regulation

45951940 North Monroe Street

4599Tallah assee, Florida 32399 - 2202

4605Benjamin Krick

4607BK & H Corporation

46116025 English Oaks Lane

4615Naples, Florida 34119

4618NOTICE OF RIGHT TO SUBMIT EXCEPTIONS

4624All parties have the right to submit written exceptions within

463415 days from the date of this Recommended Ord er. Any exceptions

4646to this Recommended Order should be filed with the agency that

4657will issue the Final Order in this case.

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PDF
Date
Proceedings
PDF:
Date: 01/03/2007
Proceedings: Final Order filed.
PDF:
Date: 12/21/2006
Proceedings: Agency Final Order
PDF:
Date: 10/09/2006
Proceedings: Recommended Order
PDF:
Date: 10/09/2006
Proceedings: Recommended Order cover letter identifying the hearing record referred to the Agency.
PDF:
Date: 10/09/2006
Proceedings: Recommended Order (hearing held July 27 and August 18, 2006). CASE CLOSED.
PDF:
Date: 09/22/2006
Proceedings: Petitioner`s Proposed Recommended Order filed.
Date: 09/15/2006
Proceedings: Transcript of Proceedings filed.
Date: 08/18/2006
Proceedings: CASE STATUS: Hearing Held August 18, 2006.
PDF:
Date: 08/04/2006
Proceedings: Amended Notice of Telephonic Final Hearing (hearing set for August 18, 2006; 1:00 p.m.; amended as to date).
PDF:
Date: 08/03/2006
Proceedings: Notice of Telephonic Final Hearing (hearing set for August 16, 2006; 1:00 p.m.).
PDF:
Date: 08/01/2006
Proceedings: Joint Status Report filed.
Date: 07/27/2006
Proceedings: CASE STATUS: Hearing Partially Held; continued to date not certain.
Date: 07/25/2006
Proceedings: Petitioner`s Hearing Exhibits filed (hearing exhibits not available for viewing).
PDF:
Date: 07/10/2006
Proceedings: Petitioner`s Witness List filed.
PDF:
Date: 07/05/2006
Proceedings: Order Denying Continuance of Final Hearing.
PDF:
Date: 06/30/2006
Proceedings: Letter to Judge Wetherell from B. Krick, III requesting a continuance for the upcoming hearing filed.
PDF:
Date: 06/06/2006
Proceedings: Order of Pre-hearing Instructions.
PDF:
Date: 06/06/2006
Proceedings: Notice of Hearing (hearing set for July 27, 2006; 9:00 a.m.; Naples, FL).
PDF:
Date: 06/06/2006
Proceedings: Order Consolidating Cases (DOAH Case Nos. 06-1929 and 06-1934).
PDF:
Date: 06/05/2006
Proceedings: Joint Response to Initial Order filed.
PDF:
Date: 05/30/2006
Proceedings: Initial Order.
PDF:
Date: 05/30/2006
Proceedings: Agency referral filed.
PDF:
Date: 05/30/2006
Proceedings: Answer to Administrative Complaint filed.
PDF:
Date: 05/30/2006
Proceedings: Election of Rights filed.
PDF:
Date: 05/30/2006
Proceedings: Administrative Complaint filed.

Case Information

Judge:
T. KENT WETHERELL, II
Date Filed:
05/30/2006
Date Assignment:
05/30/2006
Last Docket Entry:
01/03/2007
Location:
Naples, Florida
District:
Middle
Agency:
ADOPTED IN TOTO
 

Counsels

Related Florida Statute(s) (14):