Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan Hochman announced charges against five men for allegedly working as unlicensed contractors in the Eaton Fire zone.
An investigation by the DA’s office and the California Contractors State License Board, or CSLB led to one felony count each for:
- Andrew Escarzaga, 27, and Daniel Escarzaga, 28, both of
- Chino, who are set to be arraigned Jan. 8 in Pasadena;
- Edgar Geovanni Lopez Revolorio, 42, of Arleta, who pleaded not
- guilty Wednesday;
- Guillermo Ramirez, 54, of Pomona, who pleaded not guilty Thursday
- and allegedly has two prior felony convictions;
- Melvin Hairon Mejia Ordonez, 41, of Los Angeles, who pleaded not
- guilty Thursday.
At a news conference Thursday, Hochman and Supervisor Kathryn Barger who represents Altadena and communities affected by the Eaton Fire, urged victims of the blaze to watch out for unlicensed construction contractors.
“My office is cracking down on criminal contractors who prey on residents who have already lost so much and cannot afford to lose more,” Hochman said in a statement. “I urge the communities impacted by the wildfires to stay vigilant and report unlicensed contractors who are taking advantage of this disaster and putting your safety and property at risk. This is important: You are still the victim of a crime even if you knowingly hired an unlicensed contractor and should alert authorities.”…