State elevation grant program has been beset by shoddy work, unlicensed contractors and allegations of graft
The Louisiana State Licensing Board for Contractors this week fined 12 contractors participating in the troubled state elevation grant program, placed three of them on probation, stripped one company of its license and cleared a 13th company of false charges.
View full sizeHome-elevation work in New Orleans was photographed in June 2006. The board held its second compliance meeting in as many months as the state tries to get a handle on a $750 million elevation grant program that's been beset by shoddy work, unlicensed contractors and allegations of graft. Here are the results of Thursday's hearing in Baton Rouge:
- Elevation Masters Inc., of New Orleans, pleaded no contest to hiring an unlicensed contractor to do work and was fined $500, plus a $500 administrative fee.
- Javier Rodriguez, D/B/A Rocks Shoring, of Texas, was charged with lifting houses without the proper license. Nobody from the firm was served papers to come to the hearing, so the case was not heard.
- Foundation Elevation and Repair LLC, of Kenner, was fined $1,000 plus a $500 administrative fee for hiring an unlicensed contractor.
- The JW Construction Group LLC, of Baton Rouge, was fined $2,000 plus a $500 administrative fee and was placed on probation for a year for permitting its license to be used by another contractor on two projects.
- Ram Jack Foundation Solutions, of New Orleans, was fined $1,000 plus a $500 administrative fee for performing elevation jobs without the proper contractor's license.
- The Jefferson Group LLC, of New Orleans, owned by disbarred attorney Archie Jefferson, a convicted felon and the brother of disgraced former U.S. Rep. William Jefferson, was fined $15,751.20 plus a $500 administrative fee for operating without the proper contractor's license.
- Allegations were dismissed against Patterson Structural Moving and Shoring LLC, of Slidell, which is run by former TLC "Heavy Haulers" personality Jeremy Patterson, because C&C General Contractors, Miss. Inc. incorrectly listed Patterson as the contractor on one of its jobs.
- C & C General Contractors, Miss. Inc., of Harvey, was fined $2,000 plus a $500 administrative fee and placed on six months' probation for letting another contractor use its license.
- Louisiana Foundation Solutions LLC, of Baton Rouge, was fined $8,000 plus a $500 administrative fee for operating on at least two jobs without the proper contractor's license.
- Jita Homebuilders LLC, of New Orleans, was fined $1,000 plus a $500 administrative fee and placed on six months probation for letting another contractor use its license.
- Jericho of Louisiana LLC, of New Orleans, was fined $8,000 plus a $500 administrative fee for performing at least three jobs without the proper contractor's license. If Jericho is licensed in 60 days, the fine will be reduced to $2,500 plus the $500 administrative fee.
- Donald Gerdon Allen, of Slidell, had his commercial license revoked and was fined $1,000 plus a $500 administrative fee for shoddy work. The board also issued a cease-and-desist order against Allen.
- Lamar Construction & Development LLC, of Slidell, was found guilty and fined $13,373.50 plus a $500 administrative fee.
The board also considered rehearings for two of the more prominent New Orleans-area elevation companies it had placed on probation at its last hearing. It denied the request from Coastal Shoring LLC of Metairie and upheld its probation. The board granted reconsideration to Davie Shoring Inc., of Kenner, and reduced its penalty to 30 days of probation, which it determined had already been served.