Unlicensed Tucson Hardscaper Guilty of Contracting Without a License

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Mon., Dec. 7, 2020

CONTACT:
Breanna Bang, Public Information Liaison

Unlicensed Tucson Hardscaper Guilty of Contracting Without a License

PHOENIX, Ariz., (Dec. 7, 2020) —   On Friday, Dec. 4, 2020, Samuel Ankney, 61 of Tucson, was found guilty of Contracting Without a License, a Class 1 Misdemeanor, in the Pima County Justice Court. 

The charge stemmed from a 2019 Arizona Registrar of Contractors (AZ ROC) investigation that found Ankney contracted to install pavers and do some landscaping work at a Tucson home in July 2019. 

Ankney previously completed landscaping work such as removing rocks from the home's yard. He claimed to be qualified to install the pavers, a project that requires an Arizona contractor's license if the amount of labor and materials exceeds $1,000.

He took $3,000 in cash to start the project but after a disagreement with the homeowner about the installation, did not complete the job. 

Ankney has never been a licensed contractor in Arizona.

The Pima County Justice Court ordered Ankney to return $2,760 in restitution to the homeowner. A $1,000 fine will be suspended if he pays the restitution in full. 

AZ ROC frequently receives complaints regarding unlicensed entities exploiting property owners ranging from poor work to complete abandonment.  If hiring someone else to do the work and the entire project, including labor and materials, is over $1,000 or requires a permit by the local municipality, a license is required by Arizona law. 

AZ ROC reminds property owners to ask contractors of their license status and to check the license using the contractor search atwww.roc.az.gov or giving the Agency a call at 1-877-692-9762.

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