09-002541
Department Of Business And Professional Regulation vs.
Brenda Carpenter, D/B/A B And P Enterprises Of Central Florida, Inc.
Status: Closed
Recommended Order on Tuesday, February 23, 2010.
Recommended Order on Tuesday, February 23, 2010.
1STATE OF FLORIDA
4DIVISION OF ADMINISTRATIVE HEARINGS
8DEPARTMENT OF BUSINESS AND )
13PROFESSIONAL REGULATION, )
16)
17Petitioner, )
19)
20vs. ) Case Nos. 09-2541
25) 09-2545
27BRENDA CARPENTER and PHILLIP HENLEY, d/b/a B AND P )
37ENTERPRISES OF CENTRAL FLORIDA, )
42INC., )
44)
45)
46Respondents. )
48)
49RECOMMENDED ORDER
51A final hearing was conducted in this case on January 22,
622010, in Tallahassee, Florida, before Suzanne F. Hood,
70Administrative Law Judge with the Division of Administrative
78Hearing.
79APPEARANCES
80For Petitioner: Maura M. Bolivar, Esquire
86Department of Business and
90Professional Regulation
921940 North Monroe Street, Suite 42
98Tallahassee, Florida 32399-2202
101For Respondents: Brenda F. Carpenter, pro se
108Phillip J. Henley, pro se
1135209 Southwest U.S. 221
117Greenville, Florida 32331
120STATEMENT OF THE ISSUES
124The issues are as follows: (a) whether Respondents each engaged in the unlicensed practice of contracting as defined in
143Sections 489.105(3) and 489.105(6), Florida Statutes (2006), in
151violation of Section 489.127(1)(f), Florida Statutes (2006);
158(b) whether Respondents each engaged in the unlicensed practice
167of electrical contracting as defined by Sections 489.505(9) and
176489.505(12), Florida Statutes (2006), in violation of Section
184489.531(1), Florida Statutes (2006); and (c) if so, what penalty
194should be imposed.
197PRELIMINARY STATEMENT
199On or about March 3, 2009, Petitioner Department of
208Business and Professional Regulation (Petitioner) issued an
215Administrative Complaint against Respondent Brenda Carpenter,
221d/b/a B & P Enterprises of Central Florida, Inc. (Carpenter).
231The two-count complaint alleged that Carpenter had violated
239On or about March 3, 2009, Petitioner issued an
248Administrative Complaint against Respondent Phillip Henley,
254d/b/a/ B & P Enterprises of Central Florida, Inc. (Henley). The
265two-count complaint alleged that Henley had violated Sections
273489.127(1)(f) and 489.531(1), Florida Statutes (2006).
279On or about March 9, 2009, Carpenter and Henley filed
289separate requests for administrative hearings to contest the
297complaints referenced above. Petitioner referred the requests
304to the Division of Administrative Hearings on May 14, 2009.
314The Division of Administrative Hearings assigned DOAH Case
322No. 09-2541 to the case against Carpenter. DOAH Case No. 09-
3332544 was assigned to the case against Henley.
341The undersigned issued Initial Orders on May 14, 2009, in
351both cases. The parties filed unilateral responses, indicating
359that the cases against Carpenter and Henley were related. After
369reviewing the files, the undersigned issued an Order of
378Consolidation dated May 27, 2009. Herein after, Carpenter and
387Henley shall be referred to collectively as Respondents.
395A Notice of Hearing dated May 27, 2009, scheduled the
405hearing for August 7, 2009.
410On July 6, 2009, Petitioner filed an Agreed Motion for
420Continuance. On July 13, 2009, the undersigned issued an Order
430Granting Continuance and Rescheduling Hearing for September 18,
4382009.
439On August 25, 2009, Petitioner's counsel filed a Motion for
449Continuance based on a family medical necessity. On
457September 1, 2009, Respondents filed a response in opposition to
467the motion. On September 2, 2009, the undersigned issued an
477Order Granting Continuance that required the parties to file a
487joint status report no later than October 1, 2009.
496On October 1, 2009, Petitioner filed a Unilateral Status
505Report. The status report requested that the hearing be
514rescheduled for November 13, 2009.
519On October 6, 2009, the undersigned issued a Notice of
529Telephonic Pre-hearing Conference. The notice scheduled the
536conference for October 13, 2009.
541After the telephone conference, the undersigned issued an
549Order Rescheduling Hearing. The Order scheduled the hearing for
558November 20, 2009.
561On November 3, 2009, Respondents filed an unopposed Motion
570for Continuance. On November 4, 2009, the undersigned issued an
580Order Granting Continuance and Rescheduling Hearing for
587January 11, 2010.
590On November 13, 2009, Petitioner filed an Agreed Motion for
600Continuance. On November 16, 2009, the undersigned issued an
609Order Granting Continuance and Re-scheduling Hearing for
616January 22, 2009.
619On December 11, 2009, Petitioner filed an Amended Motion to
629Compel. Respondents did not file a response in opposition to
639the motion. On December 18, 2009, the undersigned issued an
649Order Granting Motion to Compel.
654During the hearing, Petitioner presented the testimony of
662three witnesses. Petitioner offered eight exhibits that were
670admitted into evidence.
673Henley testified on behalf of Respondents. Respondents did
681not present any other witnesses or offer any exhibits for
691admission into the record as evidence.
697The Transcript was filed on February 3, 2010. Petitioner
706filed its Proposed Recommended Order on February 15, 2009. As
716of the date that this Recommended Order was issued, Respondents
726had not filed proposed findings of fact and conclusions of law.
737Except where otherwise indicated, all references
743hereinafter are to Florida Statutes (2006).
749FINDINGS OF FACT
7521. At all times material here, Respondents were married
761and doing business together as "B and P Enterprises of Central
772Florida, Inc." The "B and P" stands for Brenda and Phillip.
783Respondents are not and never have been licensed to engage in
794contracting or electrical contracting in Florida.
8002. In March 2006, Carla Adams had recently purchased her
810first home and sought to refinance it. The lender required an
821inspection of the home. The lender also required that any work
832on the home be performed by a licensed person or entity.
8433. In March 2006, an inspector employed by Pillar to Post,
854Inc., conducted an inspection of Ms. Adams' home. The
863inspection report, dated March 10, 2006, listed a number of
873areas that needed work and made recommendations for correction
882of those problems.
8854. In July 2006, Ms. Adams saw an advertisement in a
896newspaper for the sale of a used car. Ms. Adams and Revacey
908Davis went to Respondents' property with the objective of
917purchasing a used vehicle.
9215. While on the property, Ms. Adams and Rev. Davis entered
932the Respondents' home. Because both women admired the home,
941Respondents gave them a tour. During the tour, Respondents
950stated that Henley had performed the work himself.
9586. While in Respondents' home, Ms. Adams and Rev. Davis
968told Respondents that Ms. Adams needed work done on her home.
979Ms. Adams also told Respondents that her lender required that
989the work be done by a licensee.
9967. Henley, both upon his own volition and after being
1006asked, told Ms. Adams and Rev. Davis that he was a licensed
1018contractor. Henley removed a picture-ID card from his wallet
1027and stated this was his license to practice contracting.
1036Respondent Carpenter condoned this statement.
10418. Ms. Adams showed Respondents the March 10, 2006,
1050inspection report. Henley assured Ms. Adams that he could do
1060everything on the report that needed to be done.
10699. Henley further stated that his license was issued by
1079Carpenter affirmatively agreed with this statement.
108510. Henley warned Ms. Adams that she should never have
1095work done by anyone that was not licensed or certified and that
1107she could check licensure status with DBPR. Respondent
1115Carpenter affirmed this warning.
111911. Before speaking with Respondents, Ms. Adams and
1127Rev. Davis had never heard of DBPR. It was only due to Henleys
1140reference to DBPR that Ms. Adams knew she could contact
1150Petitioner regarding the issues in this case.
115712. Respondents advised Ms. Adams that they were willing
1166to go to Ms. Adams home and give her an estimate of what they
1180would charge to perform the needed work. Ms. Adams and
1190Rev. Davis left Respondents' property expecting to see
1198Respondents in the near future.
120313. In August 2006, Respondents went to Ms. Adams home in
1214Tallahassee, Florida. Ms. Adams told Respondents she needed
1222electrical, structural and plumbing work done as set forth in
1232the Pillar-to-Post report. Respondents then inspected the home,
1240took measurements, and made a verbal offer to perform the needed
1251contracting work.
125314. Respondents returned to Ms. Adams home later in
1262August 2006. At that time, Respondents presented Ms. Adams with
1272a written estimate of what they would charge to do certain
1283contracting work on her home. The proposal included, but was
1293not limited to, structural, plumbing and electrical work.
130115. Respondents' proposal stated as follows in relevant
1309part:
1310REMOVE ALL OLD FLOOR COVERING
1315Carpet
1316Padding
1317Lineoleum (sic)
1319Square Stick tile
1322Tack strip
1324All of the above, but not limited to
1332just above
13341,470 Sq. Ft. @ $1.10 Sq. Ft.
1342INSTALL NEW FLOOR COVERING
13461,470 Sq. Ft. of tile on floor
1354@ $1.75 Sq. Ft.
1358and install Durarock (sic) or hardi
1364(sic) backing board, if needed
1369KITCHEN
1370Remove wall and old 1/2 bathroom and
1377put back to finished product
1382Not including finishing drywall and
1387painting drywall
1389Remove all old plumbing and re-route
1395Electrical wires
1397HALL BATHROOM
1399Remove bathtub, and tub walls
1404Install durarock (sic) and new plumbing
1410fixtures [a]s provided by homeowner
1415Install 100 Sq. Ft. of wall tile around
1423old tub area @ $1.75 Sq. Ft. [m]aking
1431a new shower in the room
1437Build a curbing, and drypack and
1443install shower floor tile
1447Install drain and rubber pan
1452REMOVE OLD RAILING FROM FRONT PORCH
145816. The total price listed for the above referenced work
1468was $5,234.50. Ms. Adams had received other estimates for the
1479work. Therefore, Ms. Adams was pleased with the price and
1489sought assurance that it would not increase.
149617. Respondents promised Ms. Adams that the cost would not
1506increase. To further assure her, they both signed the contract
1516in her presence. During the hearing, Henley admitted that he
1526contracted with Ms. Adams to perform the labor as listed on this
1538contract.
153918. In an attempt to ascertain Henleys skill as a
1549contractor, Ms. Adams decided to begin with the renovation of
1559the bathroom located in the entrance way to the master bedroom.
1570Ms. Adams agreed to buy the construction, plumbing, or
1579electrical materials that Henley needed to do the work.
158819. Ms. Adams works two jobs and was not always home when
1600Respondents performed the contracted work. As a result,
1608Rev. Davis, who lived nearby, was present at the home to let
1620Respondents in and observe the work.
162620. In order to enlarge the bathroom adjoining the master
1636bedroom, Henley demolished a wall between the old bathroom and a
1647walk-in closet. Henley also removed the door into the old
1657bathroom and constructed a single wall with the entrance to the
1668enlarged room through the door to the old closet.
167721. In the course of this alteration and expansion, Henley
1687damaged the adjoining wall to the living room. He subsequently
1697repaired the damage.
170022. In the enlarged bathroom, Henley removed a sink from
1710the old bathroom area and installed it in the area that had been
1723a closet. The area of the old closet had no plumbing. The
1735removal and installation of the sink required Henley to remove
1745old piping and replace it with larger pipes to increase the
1756water flow. During the hearing, Henley admitted removing the
1765sink and disconnecting the plumbing.
177023. Henley installed the custom-built shower as described
1778in the contract in Ms. Adams bathroom. During the hearing,
1788Henley admitted cutting a hole in the floor of Ms. Adams
1799bathroom and installing a shower drain pan.
180624. Henley removed and replaced the toilet in Ms. Adams
1816bathroom. Additionally, Henley, with Carpenter's help, removed
1823the old bathtub. Henley admitted removing the bathtub and
1832disconnecting the plumbing.
183525. Henley then installed a replacement Jacuzzi bathtub at
1844the location of the previously-removed bathtub in Ms. Adams
1853bathroom. Henley had to remove the old piping and replace it
1864with larger pipes to increase the water flow for the replacement
1875Jacuzzi.
187626. The toilet, sink, and bathtub removal and the shower-
1886installation required plumbing work that made it necessary to
1895turn off the water to the home.
190227. During the course of installing the Jacuzzi bathtub,
1911Henley discovered that his work resulted in drainage problems he
1921could not correct. For the first time, he told Ms. Adams that
1933his license did not allow him to perform plumbing work. Henley
1944then told Ms. Adams that, as the contractor on the job, he could
1957subcontract the needed plumbing work.
196228. In early September 2006, Henley called Roto-Rooter as
1971a plumbing subcontractor. Roto-Rooter performed the following
1978plumbing work at Ms. Adams' home:
1984Hooked up all the basic [drain] lines and
1992the toilet in new bathroom to the m/l [main
2001line]. Also ran water lines for the new
2009sink, but found problem with shower valve.
2016It was put in wrong and will not work until
2026it's moved. Note: Everything else is
2032working at this time. Price includes parts
2039and labor. ( * * * out the tile and fix
2050shower valve, not everything is working.)
2056The Roto-Rooter invoice indicates a total cost in the amount of
2067$1,432.78 for the work performed in Ms. Adams' home.
207729. Ms. Adams and Respondents had a financial dispute
2086about which party had to pay Roto-Rooter. The dispute
2095ultimately led to a falling out regarding the completion of the
2106contracted work .
210930. Ms. Adams bathroom currently is inoperable because
2117the toilet and Jacuzzi bathtub do not work. There is raw sewage
2129underneath her home. In order to repair her bathroom, Ms. Adams
2140received an estimate of approximately $5,000.00.
214731. Ms. Adams decision to begin with the renovation of
2157her bathroom also involved ascertaining Henleys skills as an
2166electrical contractor. Based on his assurances that he could do
2176the work, Ms. Adams allowed Henley to remove and relocate
2186electrical light fixtures and switches in the bathroom, closet,
2195and hallway. During the course of this work, Henley left hot
2206wires exposed.
220832. On or about September 14, 2006, Carpenter came to
2218Ms. Adams home and presented an invoice for $1,200.00 for the
2230contracted work that had been performed pursuant to the initial
2240contract. The invoice was on the letter head of Brenda &
2251Phillip, Phillip Henley, Inc." It stated as follows in relevant
2261part:
2262Remodel Master Bathroom
2265Take out all fixtures-sink, cabinet, cast
2271iron tub, toilet and replace with new
2278Jacucci (sic) tub, new sink and cabinet, new
2286shower and put back old toilet. Take out
2294old tile on walls and drywall, take out two
2303closets to enlarge bathroom. Re-wire and
2309re-plumb all fixtures and installed durarock
2315(sic) on floor, walls and wet areas and
2323installed blueboard on balance of walls.
2329Built a custom shower and installed custom
2336tile design on walls and floor.
2342Cost: $1,900.00
2345Less cash
2347advances: 8/9 $100
23508/16 $300
23528/22 $300
2354$700 - 700.00
2357$1,200.00
2359Plus:
2360Materials
2361& receipts: 8/11 $ 81.19
23668/17 23.67
23688/19 26.84
23708/24 108.51
2372$240.21 $240.21
2374Balance Due: $1,440.00
2378Other labor -240.00
2381$1,200.00
2383The invoice was signed by Henley and Carpenter and included the
2394following statement: "Thank you for doing business with Brenda
2403& Phillip!" The invoice stated that the check should be payable
2414to Carpenter.
241633. Excluding costs associated with an attorney's time,
2424Petitioner has expended $554 in total cost relative to the
2434investigation and prosecution of DOAH Case No. 09-2541 against
2443Carpenter and $1,005.67 in total cost relative to the
2453investigation and prosecution of DOAH Case No. 09-2545 against
2462Henley.
2463CONCLUSIONS OF LAW
246634. The Division of Administrative Hearings has
2473jurisdiction of the parties and the subject matter of this
2483proceeding pursuant to Sections 120.569 and 120.57(1), Florida
2491Statutes (2009).
249335. Petitioner is the state agency charged with regulating
2502the practice of unlicensed construction contracting and
2509electrical contracting pursuant to Chapters 455 and 489, Florida
2518Statutes.
251936. Petitioner has the burden of proving by clear and
2529convincing evidence that Respondents violated Sections
2535489.127(1)(f) and 489.531(1)(a), Florida Statutes. See Dept. of
2543Banking and Finance v. Osborne Stern and Co. , 670 So. 2d 932
2555(Fla. 1996).
2557Count One
255937. The first issue is whether Respondents engaged in the
2569unlicensed practice of contracting. Section 489.105 Florida
2576Statutes, defines the terms contractor and contracting as
2584follows in pertinent part:
2588(3) "Contractor" means the person who
2594is qualified for, and shall only be
2601responsible for, the project contracted for
2607and means, except as exempted in this part,
2615the person who, for compensation, undertakes
2621to, submits a bid to, or does himself or
2630herself or by others construct, repair,
2636alter, remodel, add to, demolish, subtract
2642from, or improve any building structure,
2648including related improvements to real
2653estate, for others or for resale to others
2661. . . .
2665* * *
2668(6) "Contracting" means, except as
2673exempted in this part, engaging in business
2680as a contractor and includes, but is not
2688limited to, performance of any of the acts
2696as set forth in subsection (3) which define
2704types of contractors. The attempted sale of
2711contracting services and the negotiation or
2717bid for a contract on these services also
2725constitutes contracting. If the services
2730offered require licensure or agent
2735qualification, the offering, negotiation for
2740a bid, or attempted sale of these services
2748requires the corresponding licensure. . . .
275538. Under Section 489.113(2), Florida Statutes, "[n]o
2762person who is not certified or registered shall engage in the
2773business of contracting in this state."
277939. Section 489.127(f), Florida Statutes, as follows:
2786(1) No person shall:
2790* * *
2793(f) Engage in the business or act in
2801the capacity of a contractor or advertise
2808himself or herself or a business
2814organization as available to engage in the
2821business or act in the capacity of a
2829contractor without being duly registered or
2835certified or having a certificate of
2841authority;
284240. Section 489.13, Florida Statutes, states as follows in
2851pertinent part:
2853(1) Any person performing an activity
2859requiring licensure under this part as a
2866construction contractor is guilty of
2871unlicensed contracting if he or she does not
2879hold a valid active certificate or
2885registration authorizing him or her to
2891perform such activity, regardless of whether
2897he or she holds a local construction
2904contractor license or local certificate of
2910competency. Persons working outside the
2915geographical scope of their registration are
2921guilty of unlicensed activity for purposes
2927of this part.
2930* * *
2933(3) Notwithstanding s. 455.228, the
2938department may impose an administrative fine
2944of up to $10,000 on any unlicensed person
2953guilty of unlicensed contracting. In
2958addition, the department may assess
2963reasonable investigative and legal costs for
2969prosecution of the violation against the
2975unlicensed contractor.
297741. In this case, clear and convincing evidence
2985establishes that Respondents are not licensed as contractors and
2994that they attempted to sell their services as contractors.
3003Respondents eventually negotiated and/or made a bid for their
3012contracting services for compensation. They performed work on
3020Ms. Adams' home requiring licensure, thus "contracting" and
3028acting as "contractors." Both Carpenter and Henley are guilty
3037of violating Section 489.127(1)(f), Florida Statutes.
3043Count Two
304542. The second issue is whether Respondents engaged in the
3055unlicensed practice of electrical contracting, which is
3062regulated under Part II of Chapter 489, Florida Statutes.
3071Section 489.505, Florida Statutes, defines contracting,
3077contractor, and electrical contractor as follows in relevant
3085part:
3086(9) "Contracting" means, except where
3091exempted in this part, engaging in business
3098as a contractor or performing electrical . .
3106. work for compensation and includes, but is
3114not limited to, performance of any of the
3122acts found in subsections (2) and (12),
3129which define the services which a contractor
3136is allowed to perform. The attempted sale
3143of contracting services and the negotiation
3149or bid for a contract on these services also
3158constitutes contracting. If the services
3163offered require licensure or agent
3168qualification, the offering, negotiation for
3173a bid, or attempted sale of these services
3181requires the corresponding licensure.
3185(10) "Contractor" means a person who
3191is qualified to engage in the business of
3199electrical . . . contracting pursuant to a
3207certificate or registration issued by the
3213department.
3214* * *
3217(12) "Electrical contractor . . .
3223means a person who conducts business in the
3231electrical trade field and who has the
3238experience, knowledge, and skill to install,
3244repair, alter, add to, or design, in
3251compliance with law, electrical wiring,
3256fixtures, appliances, apparatus, raceways,
3260conduit, or any part thereof, which
3266generates, transmits, transforms, or
3270utilizes electrical energy in any form,
3276including the electrical installations and
3281systems within plants and substations, all
3287in compliance with applicable plans,
3292specifications, codes, laws, and
3296regulations. The term means any person,
3302firm, or corporation that engages in the
3309business of electrical contracting under an
3315express or implied contract; or that
3321undertakes, offers to undertake, purports to
3327have the capacity to undertake, or submits a
3335bid to engage in the business of electrical
3343contracting; or that does itself or by or
3351through others engage in the business of
3358electrical contracting.
336043. Section 489.531(1), Florida Statutes, states as
3367follows:
3368(1) A person may not:
3373(a) Practice contracting unless the
3378person is certified or registered;
3383(b) Use the name or title "electrical
3390contractor" . . . or advertise himself or
3398herself or a business organization as
3404available to practice electrical . . .
3411contracting, when the person is not then the
3419holder of a valid certification or
3425registration issued pursuant to this part;
343144. Part II of Chapter 489, Florida Statutes, does not
3441provide specific administrative penalties for unlicensed
3447electrical contracting. See § 489.13, Fla. Stats. Thus, the
3456authority for imposition of administrative penalties for
3463unlicensed electrical contracting is Section 455.228, Florida
3470Statutes, which states as follows in relevant part:
3478(1) When the department has probable
3484cause to believe that any person not
3491licensed by the department, or the
3497appropriate regulatory board within the
3502department, has violated any provision of
3508this chapter or any statute that relates to
3516the practice of a profession regulated by
3523the department, or any rule adopted pursuant
3530thereto, the department may . . . impose an
3539administrative penalty not to exceed $5,000
3546per incident pursuant to the provisions of
3553chapter 120 . . . .
355945. The evidence is clear and convincing that Respondents
3568are not licensed as electrical contractors. However, they
3576engaged in the business of electrical "contracting" and acted as
3586electrical "contractors" under an express or implied contract
3594with Ms. Adams. Both Respondents are guilty of violating
3603Sections 455.228 and 489.531, Florida Statutes, by undertaking,
3611offering to undertake, purporting to have the capacity to
3620undertake, and/or submitting a bid to engage in the business of
3631electrical contracting by themselves or through others.
3638Penalties
363946. Petitioner is generally authorized to impose an
3647administrative fine "not to exceed $5,000 per incident" for
3657unlicensed activity. See § 455.228(1), Fla. Stat. However,
3665with respect to unlicensed contracting under Part I of Chapter
3675489, Florida Statutes, Petitioner is authorized to impose an
3684administrative fine of "up to $10,000." See § 489.13(3), Fla.
3695Stat.
369647. At the time of the violations at issue here,
3706Petitioner had no guidelines to determine the appropriate fines
3715as required by Section 455.2273, Florida Statutes. However, as
3724of January 26, 2010, Petitioner adopted Florida Administrative
3732Code Rule 61-5.007, Disciplinary Guidelines for Unlicensed
3739Activity.
374048. The penalties set forth in the new rule cannot be
3751applied retroactively to Respondents' unlicensed activity that
3758occurred in 2006. Even so, the rule is instructive regarding
3768the circumstances that may be considered as mitigating or
3777aggravating factors.
377949. Florida Administrative Code Rule 61-5.007 states as
3787following in pertinent part:
3791(8) Circumstances which may be
3796considered for the purposes of mitigation or
3803aggravation of the foregoing penalties shall
3809include the following:
3812(a) Monetary or other damage to the
3819unlicensed person's customer and/or other
3824persons, in any way associated with the
3831violation, which damage the unlicensed
3836person has not relieved as of the time the
3845penalty is to be assessed.
3850(b) The severity of the offense.
3856(c) The danger to the public.
3862(d) The number of repetitions of
3868offenses.
3869(e) The number of complaints filed
3875against the unlicensed person.
3879(f) The length of time the unlicensed
3886person has been engaging in unlicensed
3892activity.
3893(g) The actual damage, physical or
3899otherwise, to the unlicensed person's
3904customer.
3905(h) The deterrent effect of the
3911penalty imposed.
3913(i) The effect of the penalty upon the
3921unlicensed person's livelihood.
3924(j) Any efforts at rehabilitation.
3929(k) The unlicensed person's use of an
3936altered license or impersonation of a
3942licensee.
394350. In mitigation, the facts here show that there was only
3954one complaint filed against Respondents. Additionally,
3960Respondents engaged in unlicensed activity for a very short
3969period of time, from the initial meeting with Ms. Adams in July
39812006 until the financial dispute in September 2006.
398951. The aggravating factors include the following:
3996(a) Both Respondents are guilty of violating two statutes;
4005(b) Ms. Adams suffered financial harm as a result of
4015Respondents' defective work; (c) Respondents have never
4022acknowledged responsibility for their actions and have not made
4031any effort at rehabilitation or restitution; and (d) Respondents
4040used a card of some kind to impersonate a license.
405052. Petitioner should impose a fine in the amount of
4060$5,500 on each Respondent for violating Section 489.127(1)(f),
4069Florida Statutes, and a fine in the amount of $5,500 on each
4082Respondent for violating Section 489.531, Florida Statutes.
408953. In addition to the administrative fines referred to
4098above, Respondents are responsible for Petitioner's costs in
4106investigating their unlicensed activity pursuant to Section
4113455.228(3)(c), Florida Statutes, which states as follows:
4120(c) The department shall be entitled
4126to recover the costs of investigation, in
4133addition to any penalty provided according
4139to department rule as part of the penalty
4147levied pursuant to the citation.
415254. It is undisputed that Petitioner incurred a total of
4162$554 in investigative costs in the case against Carpenter, DOAH
4172Case No. 09-2541, and a total of $1,005.67 in investigative cost
4184in the case against Henley, DOAH Case No. 09-2545.
4193RECOMMENDATION
4194Based on the foregoing Findings of Fact and Conclusions of
4204Law, it is
4207RECOMMENDED:
4208That Petitioner enter a final order finding that each
4217Respondent violated Sections 489.127(1)(f) and 489.531(1),
4223Florida Statutes, imposing a total administrative fine in the
4232amount of $11,000 against each Respondent, and assessing costs
4242in the amount of $554 against Carpenter and $1,005.67 against
4253Henley.
4254DONE AND ENTERED this 23rd day of February, 2010, in
4264Tallahassee, Leon County, Florida.
4268S
4269SUZANNE F. HOOD
4272Administrative Law Judge
4275Division of Administrative Hearings
4279The DeSoto Building
42821230 Apalachee Parkway
4285Tallahassee, Florida 32399-3060
4288(850) 488-9675
4290Fax Filing (850) 921-6847
4294www.doah.state.fl.us
4295Filed with the Clerk of the
4301Division of Administrative Hearings
4305this 23rd day of February, 2010.
4311COPIES FURNISHED :
4314Maura M. Bolivar, Esquire
4318Department of Business and
4322Professional Regulation
43241940 North Monroe Street, Suite 42
4330Tallahassee, Florida 32399
4333Brenda Carpenter
4335Phillip Henley
43375209 Southwest U.S. 221
4341Greenville, Florida 32331
4344Amy Toman, Hearing Officer
4348Office of the General Counsel
4353Department of Business
4356and Professional Regulation
4359Northwood Centre
43611940 North Monroe Street
4365Tallahassee, Florida 32399-0792
4368Reginald Dixon, General Counsel
4372Department of Business
4375and Professional Regulation
4378Northwood Centre
43801940 North Monroe Street
4384Tallahassee, Florida 32399-0792
4387NOTICE OF RIGHT TO SUBMIT EXCEPTIONS
4393All parties have the right to submit written exceptions within
440315 days from the date of this Recommended Order. Any exceptions
4414to this Recommended Order should be filed with the agency that
4425will issue the Final Order in this case.
- Date
- Proceedings
- PDF:
- Date: 03/15/2010
- Proceedings: Petitioner's Response to Exceptions (filed in Case No. 09-002545).
- PDF:
- Date: 03/03/2010
- Proceedings: Letter to Ms. Toman from B.Carpenter and P.Henley regarding rights to submit exceptions to recommended order filed.
- PDF:
- Date: 02/23/2010
- Proceedings: Recommended Order cover letter identifying the hearing record referred to the Agency.
- Date: 02/03/2010
- Proceedings: Transcript of Proceedings filed.
- Date: 01/22/2010
- Proceedings: CASE STATUS: Hearing Held.
- PDF:
- Date: 11/16/2009
- Proceedings: Order Granting Continuance and Re-scheduling Hearing (hearing set for January 22, 2010; 10:00 a.m.; Tallahassee, FL).
- PDF:
- Date: 11/04/2009
- Proceedings: Order Granting Continuance and Re-scheduling Hearing (hearing set for January 11, 2010; 10:00 a.m.; Tallahassee, FL).
- PDF:
- Date: 10/23/2009
- Proceedings: Petitioner's Notice of Re-service of First Set of Interrogatories and First Request for Production of Documents filed.
- PDF:
- Date: 10/23/2009
- Proceedings: Petitioner's Notice of Service of Corrected First Request for Admissions filed.
- PDF:
- Date: 10/13/2009
- Proceedings: Order Re-scheduling Hearing (hearing set for November 20, 2009; 10:00 a.m.; Tallahassee, FL).
- Date: 10/13/2009
- Proceedings: CASE STATUS: Pre-Hearing Conference Held.
- PDF:
- Date: 10/06/2009
- Proceedings: Notice of Telephonic Pre-hearing Conference (set for October 13, 2009; 2:00 p.m.).
- PDF:
- Date: 09/02/2009
- Proceedings: Order Granting Continuance (parties to advise status by October 1, 2009).
- PDF:
- Date: 09/01/2009
- Proceedings: Letter to Judge Hood from B. Carpenter and P. Henley regarding Respondent's Motion for Dismissal filed.
- PDF:
- Date: 07/29/2009
- Proceedings: Petitioner's Notice of Service of First Request for Admissions filed.
- PDF:
- Date: 07/29/2009
- Proceedings: Petitioner's Notice of Service of First Set of Interrogatories and First Request for Production of Documents filed.
- PDF:
- Date: 07/13/2009
- Proceedings: Order Granting Continuance and Re-scheduling Hearing (hearing set for September 18, 2009; 10:00 a.m.; Tallahassee, FL).
Case Information
- Judge:
- SUZANNE F. HOOD
- Date Filed:
- 05/14/2009
- Date Assignment:
- 05/14/2009
- Last Docket Entry:
- 04/26/2010
- Location:
- Tallahassee, Florida
- District:
- Northern
- Agency:
- ADOPTED EXCEPT FOR PENALTY
Counsels
-
Maura M. Bolivar, Esquire
Address of Record -
Brenda Carpenter
Address of Record