Alonso Contreras says he has paid restitution and completed courses as he seeks reinstatement of operator’s license

Alonso (Alonzo) Contreras appeared July 17 before the Structural Pest Control Board to seek reinstatement of his operator’s license, which he surrendered under a stipulated decision resolving first amended accusation number 2016-9.

Administrative Law Judge Nguyen Van Rooyen opened the hearing and Deputy Attorney General Tim McDonough summarized the documentary record, admitted exhibit 1 (the petition packet) and described the disciplinary history. McDonough recited that the board accepted the stipulated surrender on Aug. 17, 2016 and that the stipulation required payment of $6,000 in cost recovery prior to issuance of a new or reinstated license and required proof of specified restitution payments to individual consumers.

McDonough said the first-amended accusation alleged multiple causes for discipline related to two projects (a 2014 Newmark Avenue condominium matter in Monterey Park and a January 2016 single-family home at Blick Street in Los Angeles), including, among other allegations, failure to issue timely completion notices and various allegations of negligence, misrepresentation and unsafe practices. The stipulated surrender included restitution amounts listed in the record: payments required to John Chen, May Wang, Terry Chang and Freddie Lee (amounts set out in the decision). The record also noted a citation (cf2018-8) for performing structural pest control work after surrendering the license; the citation’s $2,500 fine was paid on Feb. 15, 2018 according to the packet.

Contreras testified under oath and handed the board a separate packet of materials, marked exhibit 2, consisting of recommendation letters, continuing-education certificates and copies of money orders and tracking records showing payments made to satisfy restitution. He explained he had mailed money orders the day before the hearing and provided copies of the tracking receipts and stubs as evidence that the payments were sent. Contreras said he also completed multiple online business and management courses and outlined volunteer work and community service performed since the surrender of his license. He told the board he had also worked in supervisory operations and obtained a fire permit for certain work.

McDonough and board members questioned Contreras about the prior violations, the restitution and records of payments. Contreras acknowledged he had admitted the allegations in the 2016 stipulated surrender and said he had saved funds and mailed the required payments prior to the hearing. He said he hopes to return to the business as a licensed operator and that he had taken classes aimed at rehabilitation and business management.

Exhibit 2 — the petitioner’s supplemental packet with checks/money orders and course certificates — was admitted without objection. The board asked clarifying questions about the duration and scope of the online courses and community-service activities; Contreras said course durations ranged from a few hours to several days per course and that he had passed end-of-course tests.

At the close of testimony the ALJ indicated the record was closed and the matter submitted for decision. No action on the petition was announced at the hearing; the board will deliberate in closed session and issue a written determination by mail.