Special Investigations Unit Update - Construction Contractors Board

Special Investigations Unit Update
December 3, 2003
The CCB Special Investigations Unit (SIU), part of the agency’s Enforcement Section, works with
law enforcement personnel and district attorneys in Oregon and other states to reduce construction
fraud. In addition, SIU works closely with the Oregon Department of Justice to investigate allegations
of illegal construction activity when a law violation warrants civil or criminal prosecution.
Below is Chief Enforcement Investigator Bruce Buffington’s summary of actions taken by SIU during
the 2003-2005 biennium against contractors for crimes committed:
Edward & Louverline
Hurlman
Indicted 7/30/02 On abscond.
Koch, Ricky Nathan Arrested 7/5/03 Theft II
Suspect was indicted on 3 counts of Working
Without A License.
Jasso, Mario Convicted 8/12/03 Convicted on count 2 unlicensed contractor,
for which he received 60 months probation.
Count 1 aggravated theft is stayed until
restitution order is evaluated.
Restitution is to be paid as follows:
1) $50,000 to Cindy Ryan - $500 per month
until 8/31/04, $1,000 per month until 8/31/05
and $2,000 per month until paid. 2) $4,300
to Clara Walker by 9/1/05.
Patten, Gilbert Gene Charged 8/12/03 Probation Violation. A warrant has been
issued for Patten’s arrest.
Patten previously pleaded guilty to 4 counts
of unlicensed activity. He received 5 years
probation with extensive conditions.
Young, Jerry E. Charged 8/18/03 Charged with 1 count holding out to be a
contractor without a license and advertising as
a contractor without a license. Currently on
abscond.
Maguire, John Thomas Arrested 9/18/03 Theft 1. Hearing set for month of December,
2003
Halbrook, Dick Indicted 9/20/01 On abscond.
1

Katie Waldrop and Roger
Stewart
Indicted 10/2/03 Theft1, CCB/SIU submitted its original case
to Salem Police Department for referral to the
District Attorney for prosecution.
Fiefia, Sione Charged 10/11/02 Sione Fiefia was arrested on probation
violation for failure to pay and was to appear
with his attorney. He did not appear and the
judge issued an in-state warrant for him with a
$30,000 bail.
Fiefia was convicted on August 8, 2001 of
unlicensed contractor, A misdemeanor. He
received a 60 month suspended sentence. He
was ordered to pay restitution in the amount
of $4,753.75, with the balance due in 24
months Copies of indictment, judgment, and
summary of injunction are on file for review.
Bickford, Bill Bob Arrested 10/23/03 Bickford was taken into custody by the Pierce
County Sheriff’s Office as a result of a
CCB/SIU sting operation conducted by CCB
Special Investigators in cooperation with the
Marion County Sheriff’s Office and Salem
Police Department. Oregon Department of
Transportation also assisted in the case.
Zarnekee, Glenna M. Acquitted 11/12/03 Found not guilty on 2 counts of working
without a license by a Multnomah County
Judge.
Berkey, Timothy Arlen Indicted 11/24/03 Berkey was indicted on one count of
Aggravated Theft and one count of Theft I.
Zamani-Zadeh, Ramin Charged 11/24/03 Charged with Theft I and other related felony
charges. Warrant was issued.
Sims, Jerry Lee Arrested 12/03/03 New trial date set for December 2003.
The suspect was previously arrested on new
charges of Unlicensed Contractor and Theft 1
in Douglas County.
2

Triple DB Specialty
Contractors, Inc.
Arrested 12/03/03 This case is currently under review by the
Department of Justice Criminal Division.
The suspect in this case was arrested on
Monday, April 28, 2003 in California on
separate construction-related charges. An
identity hearing will be held regarding
extradition for the Oregon construction fraud
charges.
Hammett, Kit Todd Arrested 12/03/03 This case may be scheduled for grand jury
some time in the month of December.
Additional victims may be submitted by SIU
to Yamhill County District Attorney for
review.
Mandes, Gary Indicted 12/03/03 On abscond.
Detective Mike Boyd, West Linn PD, arrested
the suspect for Aggravated Theft I. The
charges stem from complaints logged with
CCB and the West Linn Police Department.
Mandes was indicted by Washington County
Grand Jury on 3 counts of Working Without a
License, 1 count of Theft I, and 1 count of
Menacing. There is an outstanding felony
warrant.
Pierson, Kevin Lynn Indicted 12/12/03 Pierson was indicted by a Deschutes County
Grand Jury on 6 counts of Theft I.
Injunctions Obtained Through The Department Of Justice
During The 2003-2005Biennium
Morales, Guadalupe Injunction 08/07/03
Vandeventer, Monte Injunction 09/11/03
3