An electrical contractor’s attempt to qualify a third business was recently derailed due to a prior criminal conviction, a project gone wrong, and multiple outstanding judgments.
A certified electrical contractor qualified two business organizations— O&J Electrical Corp and HF Electric, Inc. The electrical contractor sought to qualify a third business named CMG Electrical Contractor, Inc.
In support of his application to qualify the third business, the electrical contractor disclosed the he had a criminal conviction, adverse civil judgments, an unfavorable administrative determination, and had started a project that a third-party had to come in to finish. The criminal conviction appeared to be a misdemeanor for which the contractor received probation. The electrical contractor had approximately ten unsatisfied civil judgments against his business, which denied knowing about.
The incomplete project allegedly stemmed from mistakes made by an electrician under the contractor’s supervision, which resulted in substantial increased costs in a project. Predictably, the project went sideways, ultimately resulting in a judgment against the electrical contractor, which was never paid, an administrative complaint against him, and his termination from the project.
Based on this the Electrical Contractor’s Licensing Board found that the electrical contractor did not sufficiently demonstrate that he had the capacity or intent to adequately supervise the new business operation.
It bears mentioning that before denying the application, the Electrical Contractor’s Licensing Board attempted to hold a hearing and provide the electrical contractor with an opportunity to present additional evidence in support of his application. He refused to do so. While this likely did not impact the outcome, if you ever have the opportunity to appear before the Board to support an application to them, you should.