The Issue The issue for determination is whether Respondent committed the offenses set forth in the Administrative Complaints and, if so, what penalty should be imposed.
Findings Of Fact It is undisputed that at all times material hereto, Respondent was licensed by the State of Florida as a Certified General Contractor, having been issued license number CG C58099. Respondent passed the licensing examination in August 1995. Case No. 99-0261 Respondent is not a licensed roofing contractor. Respondent's Certified General Contractor's license did not and does not permit him to obtain roofing permits to perform any type of work on roofs. Respondent's Certified General Contractor's license number was not low enough for him to be grandfathered in by the State to allow him to lawfully perform roofing work with his Certified General Contractor's license. On or about February 23, 1998, Delfina Valdes contracted with Johnny Hatcher, d/b/a Hatcher's Roofing, to repair the roof on her residence located at 18101 Northwest 32 Avenue, Miami, Florida. They contracted for Hatcher to remove Valdes' old roof and install a new roof at a cost of $4,000. Valdes paid Hatcher $2,000 as a down payment toward the cost of the roof's repair. At no time material hereto was Hatcher a licensed roofing contractor. Furthermore, at no time material hereto was Hatcher's Roofing qualified by the State of Florida to perform contracting. Hatcher removed the roof from Valdes' residence. After removing the roof, he did not perform any more work. Respondent met with Valdes and represented to her that Hatcher was working for him. Respondent further represented that he would obtain the permit for the roofing work. Respondent paid Cayetano Alfonso to obtain a roofing permit for the work on Valdes' roof. On or about March 26, 1998, Alfonso made application to Metropolitan Dade County, Department of Planning, Development and Regulation for the roofing permit, which was subsequently issued. Alfonso was a Certified General Contractor who was licensed to perform roofing work. Alfonso's Certified General Contractor's license number was low enough for him to be grandfathered in by the State to allow him to lawfully perform roofing work with his Certified General Contractor's license. Alfonso was not the qualifier for Hatcher's Roofing nor was he Respondent's qualifier. Alfonso did not enter into the contract with Valdes for repairing her roof. Alfonso was not a party to the contract for repairing Valdes' roof. An inference is drawn and a finding of fact is made that Hatcher was not acting on behalf of Alfonso when he entered into the contract with Valdes. An inference is drawn and a finding of fact is made that Respondent was not acting on behalf of Alfonso when he represented to Valdes that he would obtain the permit for the roofing work. When Respondent discovered that Hatcher had received a $2,000 deposit from Valdes, he requested Alfonso to cancel the permit. On or about April 20, 1998, Alfonso cancelled the roofing permit. On or about June 5, 1998, Valdes cancelled the contract between her and Hatcher Roofing. Valdes received a refund of the $2,000 from Hatcher, through a third party, that she had paid him. Case No. 98-4859 On or about April 9, 1995, Respondent entered into a contract with Susan Casper to construct an addition to her residence located at 17350 Northeast 12th Court, North Miami Beach, Florida, at a cost of $38,135. Casper paid Respondent $36,285.00 toward the cost of the addition. Respondent was not licensed at the time that he entered into the contract. On or about March 20, 1996, Respondent obtained a permit from the Metropolitan Dade County, Department of Planning, Development and Regulation for the work on the addition. Several delays were encountered during the performance of the work. Some of the delays resulted from changes by Casper, which changes required approval by Metropolitan Dade County, Department of Planning, Development and Regulation; however, most of the delays were Respondent's own doing. In October 1996, Casper paid $2,588 to Best Truss Company for a claim of lien filed on her residence, associated with the work being performed on her residence. Respondent worked sporadically on Casper's addition through April 1997. He would inform her at times that he was returning but failed to return. At one point, Casper's children constructed a sign in their own handwriting, instructing Respondent to keep out and indicating that there was no trespassing by him. The sign was posted on the door of Casper's residence. Casper informed Respondent that her children constructed the sign. It was obvious that the keep out, no trespassing sign was constructed by children. Respondent's assertion that he was kept away from Casper's residence by the children's sign is not credible. Even after the children's sign was posted on the front door of Casper's residence, Respondent agreed with Casper to resume work, and he did so. However, his work was sporadic. In or around June 1997, Casper sought assistance from the Metropolitan Dade County, Department of Planning, Development and Regulation to get Respondent to complete the work. In July 1997, Respondent obtained a window permit for the work on Casper's residence. After July 1997, Respondent ceased working on Casper's residence. He did not provide Casper with any notice that he was ceasing work. Respondent had no valid reason for ceasing the work. In September 1997, Casper transferred the permit for the work on her residence from Respondent's name to her name. Respondent failed to perform all the work under the contract. Some of the work performed by Respondent or caused to be performed by Respondent contained code violations and needed correcting. Certain work performed by Respondent or caused to be performed by Respondent needed correcting. Wood doors, glass block, electrical work, and a sprinkler were in need of correction. Casper bore the expense of the corrections. The corrective work was completed at a cost of $1,675.00. The value of the work performed by Respondent on Casper's residence was $18,272, minus the cost of the corrective work of $1,675, which equals a total value of the work at $16,597. This cost value includes overhead and profit. Even though the value of the work by Respondent was $16,597, Casper paid Respondent $36,285, a difference of $19,688. Casper hired a new contractor on or about September 17, 1997, to complete the construction on her residence at a cost of $16,350. As to Case No. 98-4859, as of January 26, 1999, Petitioner incurred a cost of $1,108.76 for the investigation and prosecution of Respondent. Petitioner previously disciplined Respondent for violating Chapter 489, Florida Statutes (1995), including violating Subsection 489.127(1)(k), Florida Statutes (1995), abandonment of a construction project.
Recommendation Based on the foregoing Findings of Fact and Conclusions of Law, it is RECOMMENDED that the Department of Business and Professional Regulation, Construction Industry Licensing Board enter a final order and therein: As to Case No. 99-0261, finding that Respondent violated Subsection 489.129(1)(e), Florida Statutes (1997). As to Case No. 98-4859, finding that Respondent violated Subsection 489.129(1)(k), Florida Statutes (1997), in Count I; and dismissing Count II. Revoking Respondent's license. Ordering Respondent to pay restitution to Susan Casper in the amount of $19,688.00. DONE AND ENTERED this 31st day of October, 2000, in Tallahassee, Leon County, Florida. ERROL H. POWELL Administrative Law Judge Division of Administrative Hearings The DeSoto Building 1230 Apalachee Parkway Tallahassee, Florida 32399-3060 (850) 488-9675 SUNCOM 278-9675 Fax Filing (850) 921-6847 www.doah.state.fl.us Filed with the Clerk of the Division of Administrative Hearings this 31st day of October, 2000. COPIES FURNISHED: Diane Snell Perera, Esquire Department of Business and Professional Regulation 401 Northwest 2nd Avenue, Suite N607 Miami, Florida 33128 Richard F. Hayes, Esquire 10300 Sunset Drive, No. 499 Miami, Florida 33173 Rodney L. Hurst, Executive Director Construction Industry Licensing Board Department of Business and Professional Regulation 7960 Arlington Expressway, Suite 300 Jacksonville, Florida 32211-7467 Barbara D. Auger, General Counsel Department of Business and Professional Regulation 1940 North Monroe Street Tallahassee, Florida 32399-0792
The Issue Whether Mr. Masiero is guilty of gross negligence in reroofing work he performed, and misconduct by failing to honor a guarantee given in connection with that work?
Findings Of Fact Mark Masiero was the qualifying agent for All Florida Roofing Company. Mr. Masiero entered into a contract, on behalf of All Florida Roofing Company, with Cristobal Sotolongo of Miramar, Florida, on January 19, 1987 According to the contract Mr. Masiero would [r)emove the roof at the address above down to wood sheathing or smooth, workable surface and haul all debris away (Department Exhibit 1) and install a hot tar roof on a flat deck. The company further gave a guarantee which read: The company guararitees its workmanship for ten years. It will replace faulty materia1 or faulty workmanship within the period of the guarantee free of charge (Department Exhibit 1). Mr. Sotolongo paid $700 at the time the contract was executed. The total price was to be $2,500. Mr. Sotolongo thereafter paid All Florida Roofing Company an additional $1,600. Mr. Sotolongo received a job invoice from All Florida Roofing Company signed by Mark Masiero on March 14, 1987, showing payment in full for the roofing work. Two hundred dollars had been deducted from the contract price for damage done to a patio screen and popcorn ceiling at the Sotolongo residence during the roofing work. After the work was completed, Mr. Sotolongo had a leak in his bedroom. Mr. Masiero returned and put some tar on the roof, but it still leaked. As a result of the leak Mr. Sotolongo lost the ceiling in the bedroom. He called Mr. Masiero repeatedly in an attempt to have the leak repaired and ultimately retained a lawyer, Steven M. Rosen, who wrote to All Florida Roofing Company on Mr. Sotolongovs behalf to complain about the failure to honor the guarantee and perform remedial work. After he received no reply to his lawyer's letter from Mr. Masiero or All Florida Roofing Company, Mr. Sotolongo received estimates for roof repairs from a number of roofers, including Professional Roofing, Inc. of Hollywood, Florida, Pioneer Roofing Company, Inc. of Hollywood, Florida, Universal Roofing, Inc. of Hollywood, Florida, and Gory Roofing, Inc. of Hollywood, Florida. A roof inspection was also provided by Gory Roofing. The reroofing was done by Gory Roofing, Inc. at a cost of $1,500. The problem with the roofing work done by All Florida Roofing Company and Mr. Masiero was that the work did not conform to the contract, in that the old roof had not been removed down to the wood sheathing or to a smooth workable surface. The old roof had been a tar and gravel roof. Lengths of 2 x 4 lumber had been placed around the perimeter of that roof and 1 1/2" to 2" of concrete had been poured on that old roof; the old tar and gravel roof had been placed over the concrete. Mr. Masiero and All Florida Roofing Company had not removed the underlying concrete roof or an older tar and gravel roof below it. This caused the leaking. The repair work done by Gory Roofing, Inc. included removal of the old roofing system, and application of a new roof. After that work, there have been no leaks from the roof.
Recommendation It is recommended that Mr. Masiero be found guilty of violations of Section 489.129(1)(j) and (m), and that he be fined $2,250. DONE AND ENTERED in Tallahassee, Leon County, Florida, this 23rd day of March, 1990. WILLIAM R. DORSEY, JR. Hearing Officer Division of Administrative Hearings The DeSoto Building 1230 Apalachee Parkway Tallahassee, Florida 32399-1550 (904) 488-9675 Filed with the Clerk of the Division of Administrative Hearings this 23rd day of March, 1990. COPIES FURNISHED: Robert G. Harris Department of Professional Regulation 1940 North Monroe Street Tallahassee, Florida 32399-0792 Mark Masiero 6631 Southwest 26th Court Miramar, Florida 33023 Kenneth D. Easley, General Counsel Department of Professional Regulation 1940 North Monroe Street Tallahassee, Florida 32399-0792 Fred Seely, Executive Director Construction Industry Licensing Board Department of Professional Regulation Post Office Box 2 Jacksonville, Florida 32202
Findings Of Fact At all times relevant, Willie James Collier was licensed as a registered roof contractor in the State of Florida, having been issued license number RC0040382. At all times relevant, Willie James Collier qualified the roofing business he owns and manages, A-1 Collier Roofing, at 2230 Blossom Terrace, Orlando, Florida 32809. On May 5, 1982, Willie Collier contracted with Robert P. Guarante to reroof Mr. Guarante's residence at 2525 Venetian Way, Winter Park, Florida. The terms of the written contract included a five-year guarantee on the work. The work was completed on May 6, 1982, and Guarante paid the negotiated amount of $4800.00. A few weeks after the installation, there was some problem with the flashing around the chimney. Guarante had no difficulty contacting Collier and the necessary repairs were made. Sometime around November 1985, Guarante detected discoloration, like rust stains, under the eaves. He first had the gutter replaced, but afterward figured the problem was seepage from the roof. He attempted to call Willie Collier. There were no answers until he called one night and was told that Willie Collier was not at that number. Mr. Guarante then drove to the street address he had for the roofing company. It was a residential area and he did not get out of the car and knock on doors. He sent a letter by regular mail to 2230 Blossom Terrace, Orlando, asking that Willie Collier call him immediately. The letter was not returned, nor was it answered. He contacted the Better Business Bureau, but this did not result in a contact with Mr. Collier. Another roofer, Robin Hood, told Mr. Guarante that there was a depression collecting water on the outer extremity of the roof, due to improper installation. Robin Hood built up the depression and charged Guarante $70.00. There were no more problems, and six months later the house was sold. Mr. Collier denies receiving any letters from Mr. Guarante or the Better Business Bureau. He was in financial difficulty in 1985, and the phone was disconnected three times. At one point the phone was in his wife's name. His licensing record reveals that his license was under suspension during 1985. He did not maintain an advertisement in the Yellow Pages during 1985. His address has not changed. It remains the same as it was from the first license application in 1976: 2230 Blossom Terrace, Orlando, Florida 32809.
Findings Of Fact Respondent, Harry Clinton Brackin, is a licensed registered roofing contractor holding license number RC0045880. Respondent was licensed at all times material to this action. Respondent is the owner and licensee for Brackin Roofing Company. Sometime around February 20, 1987, Respondent entered into a contract with Mrs. Arebelle S. Hughes, an elderly woman, to re-roof her house and remodel the front porch of her home located in Vernon, Florida. In addition to the work performed pursuant to the contract, there were verbal construction agreements between Mrs. Hughes and Respondent for the remodeling of the back porch, removing and closing out windows, replacing and framing doors, placing molding in the kitchen and various other carpentry repairs. Ms. Hughes asked Respondent to perform the additional work because she was well satisfied with the roofing job done by Respondent and she was unable to find a licensed contractor willing to come to Vernon and perform the work she wanted done. Respondent, in fact, informed Ms. Hughes he was not a contractor and in his opinion she needed a contractor. However, Ms. Hughes still wanted Respondent to do the additional work for the above reasons. Later, Mrs. Hughes became very dissatisfied with the quality of Respondent's remodeling work and advised the Respondent of her complaints. However, the evidence disclosed that her complaints were not well communicated and Respondent did generally try to meet Ms. Hughes' requests. None of Respondent's work constituted a hazardous condition and no evidence was offered which indicated an actual building code violation. The Respondent has not corrected the work. Mr. Harold Benjamin, an expert in the area of general contracting, reviewed the contract, the job site, the Respondent's license, and the pertinent Florida Statutes. Mr. Benjamin's expert opinion was that the Respondent's contracting job with Mrs. Hughes definitely exceeded the scope of Respondent's roofing license. Mr. Benjamin added that the carpentry work itself demonstrated an unfitness in the area of carpentry contracting and that Respondent's work did not in some respects meet the minimum carpentry standards for the industry. However, Respondent's work was not so bad as to constitute gross negligence in the area of contracting. This is particularly true since Respondent disclosed to Ms. Hughes that he was not a contractor and that the work she wanted done should be performed by one. Respondent's duty was thereby limited to a duty to perform reasonably given his abilities. Respondent did meet that duty. Respondent was disciplined for the same type of violation in 1986.
Recommendation Based on the foregoing Findings of Fact and Conclusions of Law, it is RECOMMENDED: That the Department of Professional Regulation, Construction Industry Licensing Board impose an administrative fine of $2,500.00. DONE and ORDERED this 5th day of December, 1988, in Tallahassee, Florida. DIANE CLEAVINGER Hearing Officer Division of Administrative Hearings The Oakland Building 2009 Apalachee Parkway Tallahassee, Florida 32399-1550 (904) 488-9675 Filed with the Clerk of the Division of Administrative Hearings this 5th day of December, 1988. APPENDIX TO RECOMMENDED ORDER, CASE NO. 88-2721 The facts contained in paragraphs 1, 3, 4, 6, 7 and 9 of Petitioner's Proposed Findings of Fact are adopted in substance, in so far as material. The facts contained in paragraphs 2 and of Petitioner's Proposed Findings of Fact are subordinate. The facts contained in paragraph 8 of Petitioner's Proposed Findings of Fact are adopted except as to the finding pertaining to gross negligence which is rejected. COPIES FURNISHED: Elizabeth R. Alsobrook, Esquire Department of Professional Regulation 130 North Monroe Street Tallahassee, Florida 32399-0750 Harry Clinton Brackin Route 1, Box 2470 Chipley, Florida 32428 Bruce D. Lamb, Esquire General Counsel Department of Professional Regulation 130 North Monroe Street Tallahassee, Florida 32399-0750 Fred Seely, Executive Director Department of Professional Regulation Construction Industry Licensing Board Post Office Box 2 Jacksonville, Florida 32201
Findings Of Fact Petitioner was registered by the State of Florida as a roofing contractor in October 1976, and this registration remained in effect until it expired June 30, 1977. It has never been renewed. Subsequent to obtaining his registration, Respondent gave up his business and started working for another licensed roofing contractor. Not having need for his license, the Respondent did not renew his registration when it expired in 1977. In 1984, Respondent agreed to replace the roof on the residence of Mr. and Mrs. Snow in Sarasota. Mr. Snow is a friend of Respondent's brother and Respondent and Snow agreed the former would do the job for $5,000. Respondent guaranteed the roof for two years. Snow paid the $5,000 for which he had contracted and Respondent replaced the roof. At the time this work was done Respondent held an active license in Sarasota County (Exhibit 9) but was not licensed by the City of Sarasota when he replaced the roof on Snow's residence. Nor did Respondent first obtain a building permit from the City of Sarasota required for the roofing job. After the work was completed Snow became unhappy with the roofing job and Mrs. Snow wanted more gutters added. Respondent had replaced the gutters and drains. He added forty feet of gutter to the rear of the house to replace the ten feet of gutter he removed. He also replaced the drains but, Mrs. Snow was not satisfied. Following the repair, a leak showed up and the Respondent was called to fix it. Upon inspecting the roof and the leak, Respondent concluded the leak was coming from the screen room over the pool and was not from an improperly laid roof. Snow complained to the Sarasota Building Inspection Department who investigated and preferred charges of alleged violation against Respondent for failure to obtain a permit and for working in Sarasota without a city license. Criminal charges were also brought against Respondent for doing the roof work on Snow's residence without having an occupational or city contractor's license to do so. Respondent was found guilty of this charge and placed on probation. Respondent subsequently applied for and was issued a City of Sarasota license as a roofing contractor and obtained a permit for the roofing job on the Snow's residence. A final inspection by Sarasota Building Department concluded the work was done in full compliance with Sarasota Code. Respondent readily acknowledges that he did not have, initially, a valid license when he did the Snow's roof, that he failed to obtain a permit for this job, and all other charges, except that involving an improperly installed roof.
The Issue Whether the Respondent, Miguel Diaz-Perna, committed the violations alleged in the administrative complaints and, if so, what penalty should be imposed.
Findings Of Fact The Department is the state agency charged with the responsibility of regulating construction industry licensees. At all times material to the allegations of these complaints, the Respondent was licensed as a certified general contractor, license number CGC026702. Respondent's license is held in his individual name. The company known as M.D.P. General Contractor, Inc., is not registered by the Construction Industry Licensing Board as a contractor. M.D.P. General Contractor, Inc., has not been qualified to practice contracting in the State of Florida. On November 18, 1992, an individual named Gum Lee contracted with Respondent who was doing business under the entity name M.D.P. General Contractor, Inc., for the roof of his hurricane-damaged home. While the contract identified Respondent as the president of the corporate entity and represented it to be a certified state general contractor, the contract did not bear Respondent's individual license number. Respondent's price for re-roofing the Gum Lee residence was $13,000. Gum Lee paid Respondent the full $13,000. Respondent began work at the Gum Lee resident in November 1992. Subsequently, in April 1993 Respondent, again doing business as M.D.P. Contractor, Inc., entered into a second agreement with Gum Lee to make an addition to the residence. This second contract also did not bear Respondent's license number. The contract price for this addition was to be $20,000. Subsequently, Respondent obtained a permit from the Metro-Dade Building Department for work at the Gum Lee residence. In July, 1993, Respondent executed an affidavit that all materialmen and subcontractors had been paid for labor and materials supplied to the Gum Lee projects. In fact, Respondent had failed to pay at least one company, Coma Cast Corporation, in the amount of $3,808.44. Coma Cast Corporation placed a valid lien on the Gum Lee property. Neither Respondent nor M.D.P. Contractor, Inc., satisfied the lien within 75 days. Moreover, as of the date of hearing, Respondent had not satisfied the lien. Despite having paid Respondent for the work and materials at his home, in order to satisfy the lien, Gum Lee was required to remit an additional $6,026.01 to Coma Cast. In November, 1992, Li Kam Ming and Wan Chang Lu contracted with Respondent, doing business as M.D.P. Contractor, Inc., for the roof of their home. This contract, like the proposal form used by Respondent in all instances in this cause, did not contain Respondent's license number. The contract price for the work for this project was $11,600 for which Respondent was paid in full. Respondent pulled a Metro-Dade Building Department permit for the Ming/Lu project on or about December 18, 1992. Respondent's individual license as a general contractor does not entitle him to perform roofing contracting in Florida. Respondent represented himself to Ming and Lu as a licensed roofing contractor. In November 1993, Coma Cast Corporation placed a valid lien against the Ming/Lu home in the amount of $2,872.86. This amount was due for materials furnished to this project and which were unpaid by Respondent or M.D.P. Contractor, Inc. Despite notice of the lien, Respondent failed to satisfy it within 75 days. On August 30, 1994, the property owners satisfied the lien by remitting $4,900. Following mediation in circuit court, Respondent was ordered to pay Ming and Lu the sum of $5,400 to resolve this matter, but he has failed or otherwise refused to do so. In February, 1993, Respondent contracted with Ethel Odwin for repairs at her hurricane-damaged home in Miami. As in the other cases, Respondent entered into this agreement as M.D.P. Contractor, Inc. No license number was included in the proposal form. A second project (and agreement for same) at the Odwin home was entered into by Respondent on October 11, 1993. This project required repairs to the swimming pool at the residence. The total contract price for both projects at the Odwin home was $46,664, of which Mrs. Odwin paid Respondent $44,917.40. Respondent pulled a Metro-Dade Building Department permit for work at the Odwin home, but did not obtain a permit for the swimming pool repair. At no time material to the allegations of this case has Respondent been licensed or certified to perform swimming pool contracting in the State of Florida. Respondent did not subcontract the swimming pool work to be performed at the Odwin residence. Respondent did not complete all work at the Odwin home and, in fact, as a percentage of the work completed, received more funds than he was entitled to under the parties' agreement. Mrs. Odwin was required to expend an additional $8,000 in order to complete the work at the home after Respondent abandoned the projects in February 1994. Respondent's excuse that his gravely ill son distracted him during the time frames of these cases cannot explain why he has failed to attend to the financial responsibilities of his business subsequent to his son's death.
Recommendation Based on the foregoing Findings of Fact and Conclusions of Law, it is RECOMMENDED that the Construction Industry Licensing Board enter a final order revoking Respondent's license, imposing an administrative fine in the amount of $15,000, and requiring financial restitution to the extent that same does not contravene federal bankruptcy law. DONE AND ORDERED this 10th day of September, 1997, in Tallahassee, Leon County, Florida. J. D. PARRISH Administrative Law Judge Division of Administrative Hearings The DeSoto Building 1230 Apalachee Parkway Tallahassee, Florida 32399-3060 (904) 488-9675 SUNCOM 278-9675 Fax Filing (904) 921-6847 Filed with the Clerk of the Division of Administrative Hearings this 10th day of September, 1997. COPIES FURNISHED: Rodney Hurst, Executive Director Construction Industry Licensing Board 7960 Arlington Expressway, Suite 300 Jacksonville, Florida 32211-7467 Lynda L. Goodgame, General Counsel Department of Business and Professional Regulation 1940 North Monroe Street Tallahassee, Florida 32399-0792 John O. Williams, Esquire Boyd, Lindsey, Williams & Branch, P.A. 1407 Piedmont Drive, East Tallahassee, Florida 32317 Miguel Diaz-Perna 14631 Southwest 148th Street Circle Miami, Florida 33189
The Issue The issues are based upon an administrative complaint brought by the State of Florida, Department of Professional Regulation against Phillip E. Sheffield, Respondent. In particular, Respondent is said to have violated the building code of the City of Jacksonville, Florida by failing to obtain a building permit before commencing construction work related to a roofing project and building the roof to a slope that was contrary to that local building code. For violations of the City of Jacksonville building code, Respondent is said to have violated Section 489.129(1)(d), Florida Statutes, by willful or deliberate violation and disregard for the applicable building code of the municipality. Finally, Respondent is said to have violated Section 489.113(3), Florida Statutes by failing to subcontract roofing work.
The Issue At issue in this proceeding is whether Respondent committed the offenses set forth in the Administrative Complaint and, if so, what penalty should be imposed.
Findings Of Fact Preliminary matters At all times material hereto, Respondent, Juan Rodriguez, was licensed by Petitioner, Department of Business and Professional Regulation, Construction Industry Licensing Board (Department), as a certified general contractor, having been issued license number CG C005171. Respondent was licensed as an individual and not as the qualifying agent of any corporation or other business organization. At all times material hereto, Henry Pena was the sole officer and director of U.S.A. Henry Roofing Corp., a Florida corporation. Neither Henry Pena nor U.S.A. Henry Roofing Corp. (hereinafter jointly referred to as "Pena"), were registered, certified, or otherwise qualified under the provisions of Chapter 489, Florida Statutes, to engage in contracting in the State of Florida. Respondent was clearly aware of Pena's lack of licensure.1 The Zapata job Pertinent to this case, Oscar and Consuelo Zapata owned a one-story commercial building located at 59 Beacom Boulevard, Miami, Florida. On August 1, 1996,2 Mr. Pena, on behalf of U.S.A. Henry Roofing Corp., and Mr. Zapata entered into an agreement whereby U.S.A. Henry Roofing Corp. would replace the roof on the building in exchange for an agreed price of $18,200. A first payment of $8,000 was to be paid after the first inspection, and the balance of $10,200 was to be paid following the final inspection. Later in the month of August, Mr. Pena presented a building and zoning permit application, as well as a request for permit, to Mr. Zapata (as owner of the property) for signature. (Petitioner's Exhibit 8.) Following Mr. Zapata's signing, Mr. Pena delivered the forms to Respondent who signed as the contractor. Thereafter, on or about September 3, 1996, Respondent submitted the forms to the City of Miami to obtain a building permit for the re-roofing job. Respondent was not then, nor was he ever, under contract to make improvements to the Zapata property, and his sole involvement was to obtain a permit so Pena could proceed with the job. The permit was issued on or about September 5, 1996.3 On September 17, 1996, Pena began work on the roof, and ceased work the same day when the roof collapsed.4 With the discovery that Pena was not licensed or insured, Mr. Zapata ultimately contracted with another company (that was licensed) to re-roof the building for $16,000. That contract was duly fulfilled, and the re-roofing of the Zapata building was accomplished (notwithstanding the roof collapse) without financial loss to the Zapatas.5 Respondent's lapse of insurance coverage Respondent's liability and property damage insurance policy was terminated June 25, 1996, and was not reinstated until September 19, 1996. Respondent does not dispute the lapse in insurance coverage. (Petitioner's Exhibits 6 and 10, and Transcript, at pages 76-77, and 80-81.) The costs of investigation and prosecution At hearing, the Department offered proof, without objection, that its costs of investigation and prosecution, excluding costs associated with any attorney's time, totalled $306.09, as of January 27, 1999. (Petitioner's Exhibit 7.) Previous disciplinary action On January 18, 1996, the Department entered a final order which found the Respondent guilty of the violations set forth in a two-count Administrative Complaint issued March 25, 1993. (Petitioner's Exhibit 1.) In that complaint, the Department charged (in Count I) that Respondent violated the provisions of Subsection 489.129(1)(e), Florida Statutes, "by performing any act which assists a person or entity in engaging in the prohibited uncertified and unregistered practice of contracting, if the cerfificateholder or registrant knows or has reasonable grounds to know that the person or entity was uncertified and unregistered," and (in Count II) that Respondent violated the provisions of Subsection 489.129(1)(m), Florida Statutes, "by being found guilty of fraud, deceit, or of gross negligence, incompetency, or misconduct in the practice of contracting." Such charges were premised on a renovation contract Respondent held wherein he "subcontracted Nelson Echeverria [who was not a state licensed electrical contractor] to perform electrical work at customer's home for approximately $4,500.00." The final order found Respondent guilty of the charges, and imposed an administrative fine of $1,500 and costs of $1,433.03, to be paid within 30 days. On March 8, 1996, Respondent's license was suspended for failure to satisfy the penalty imposed by the final order; however, the penalty was then apparently satisfied and on June 19, 1996, the suspension was lifted and Respondent's license was reinstated.
Recommendation Based on the foregoing Findings of Fact and Conclusions of Law, it is RECOMMENDED that a final order be entered finding Respondent guilty of the violations alleged in Counts I through III of the Administrative Complaint and imposing, as a penalty for such violations, an administrative fine in the sum of $5,000; assessing costs of investigation and prosecution in the sum of $306.09; and, suspending Respondent's licensure for a period of one year, followed by a two-year term of probation subject to such reasonable terms and conditions as the Construction Industry Licensing Board may impose. DONE AND ENTERED this 12th day of May, 1999, in Tallahassee, Leon County, Florida. WILLIAM J. KENDRICK Administrative Law Judge Division of Administrative Hearings The DeSoto Building 1230 Apalachee Parkway Tallahassee, Florida 32399-3060 (850) 488-9675 SUNCOM 278-9675 Fax Filing (850) 921-6847 www.doah.state.fl.us Filed with the Clerk of the Division of Administrative Hearings this 12th day of May, 1999.
