Stenehjem
BISMARCK, N.D. (Legal Newsline) - North Dakota Attorney General Wayne Stenehjem announced legal action on Tuesday against four contractors in Dickinson for alleged violations discovered during random compliance checks last month.
On Friday, a multi-agency contractor compliance task force, led by Stenehjem, alleged that out of 36 contractors, three of them were unlicensed and another contractor was employing illegal aliens. Stenehjem has sanctioned the four contractors.
Those companies find $500 for failing to license as contractors were: Domingo Palafax, doing business as Palafax Drywall, of Grand Junction, Colo.; A & S Clearwater Construction LLC, of Lonsdale, Minn.; and Lamont Companies Inc., doing business as Dickinson Lodging Associates LLC, of Aberdeen, S.D.
Stenehjem's task force alleges that the entities were engaged in unlicensed activity. In addition, Bella Vista Stucco Inc. of Greeley, Colo., was fined $500 for allegedly employing illegal aliens who were not authorized to work in the United States. Twelve illegal workers at two construction sites were detained by law enforcement the task force's request.
"The contractor licensing requirements are in place to ensure that these contractors are in compliance with all North Dakota laws, including insurance and bonding requirements, coverage for injured workers, and the protection of consumers and property owners," Stenehjem said.
"We take these requirements very seriously and vigorously enforce North Dakota's laws. In addition to fines, each of these contractors was ordered to immediately suspend all work until the contractor licenses were issued."