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Escambia County board withdraws earlier approval for contractor application after undisclosed New Jersey conviction
Summary
The Contractors' Competency Board voted to withdraw a prior approval and deny further progress on applicant Albert Swetzouk’s residential contractor application after staff produced court records and news accounts the applicant did not disclose on his application.
The Escambia County Contractors' Competency Board voted Thursday to withdraw a prior approval and stop further processing of Albert Swetzouk’s residential contractor application after staff presented court records and a news report that were not disclosed on the applicant’s form.
Board members said Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR) records and New Jersey court documents in the board packet show a criminal conviction and sentencing that were not reported on Swetzouk’s notarized application. Staff told the board it had approved Swetzouk to sit for the examination earlier but later received the extra documentation from DBPR and additional documents from New Jersey that raised concerns.
The board’s legal adviser explained a notarized signature does not guarantee factual accuracy and that the board must weigh the supplemental records. A board member described the application as falsified and moved that the board “withdraw the previous approval and not approve” the application going forward. Another member seconded. With no members speaking in opposition, the chair called the vote and the motion passed.
The board did not adopt a separate penalty such as a fine; members said the primary action was to withdraw the earlier approval and leave the applicant’s status unresolved until he provides explanation or corrective documentation. Staff noted applicants who wish to contest the records or supply more documentation may request review in a future meeting.
The board discussed steps to tighten background checks, including deeper online searches and further coordination with DBPR and local licensing districts for clearer disclosures on applications; staff said they are pursuing enhanced access to state and federal records for background checking.
The decision was procedural: the board withdrew Swetzouk’s prior authorization to test and did not approve further progress on his application pending a response from the applicant or new evidence.
