13 Face Charges as Unlicensed Builders

After being arrested in a sting operation in which state officials posed as homeowners with quake-damaged homes, 13 people were charged Thursday with operating as unlicensed contractors.

Using two homes in Reseda and Van Nuys as bait, investigators with the state Contractors’ State License Board contacted the builders, all of whom advertised in newspapers or on cards posted in building supply stores.

After the builders gave estimates to conduct repairs, arrests were made in March and April, according to Deputy City Atty. Don Cocek, who is prosecuting all 13.

With low-interest loans and insurance money flowing into the areas hard hit by the Northridge earthquake, officials warned homeowners to be careful of scams by unlicensed contractors.

Since the Jan. 17 temblor, a total of 26 people have now been charged with operating as unlicensed contractors.

Charged Thursday were: William Donohue, 48, Manouchehr F. Manizani, 54, and Jose Moreno, 47, all of Canoga Park; George Lynn Gonzalez, 49, of Shadow Hills; Michael D. Knight, 39, and Jesse Vicente Lopez, both of North Hollywood, and Phillips Martin, 47, of Van Nuys.

Also charged were: William Henry Parlee, 58, of Sepulveda; Victor Risiglione, 48, of Chatsworth; John Dale Eyler, 35, of Eagle Rock; Tony Simann Idilbi, 29, of West Hills, and Michael Benmoshe, 39, and Salvador Muro Lozano, 55, both of Reseda.

All of the men have been ordered to appear in Van Nuys Municipal Court for arraignment on June 28.