The head of a Las Vegas solar company is facing felony theft charges for allegations of taking money from customers but not delivering work as promised, according to the Nevada State Contractors Board.
Guadalupe Derek Carbajal, 43, has been charged with seven felonies and one misdemeanor count of theft, the board said. Carbajal, the general manager of Lifetime Solar, is accused of taking at least $250,000 from homeowners without doing any work, they said.
David Behar, deputy executive officer for the Nevada State Contractors Board, said the case was so egregious that the board launched a criminal investigation with the Nevada Attorney General’s Office, leading to Carbajal’s arrest this week.
“Over the last year, we’ve seen an incredible increase in the number of solar complaints received by our agency,” Behar said during a news conference.
The case motivated the Nevada State Contractors Board and the Nevada Attorney General’s Office to work together to form a new solar investigations unit focused on theft, fraud, abandonment and unlicensed contractors, Behar said.
“This unit will partner with entities across our state that will include prosecutorial agencies throughout Nevada in an effort to provide increased consumer protections regarding solar scams, deceptive loans and aggressive sales tactics,” Behar said.
Terry Wike, director of investigations for the Nevada State Contractors Board, said complaints against solar companies often revolve around abandonment of projects. After about five complaints come in about the same company, the board typically meets with the company.
He said there are many more victims and law-breaking companies throughout the state.
“We have both power to find and revoke licenses of a licensed contractor, and on the criminal side we have the power to file misdemeanor and felony charges, which are likely to occur,” Wike said.
The Nevada State Contractors Board suspended Lifetime’s license last year after more than 23 customers filed complaints around the same time. The board held a disciplinary hearing last August and revoked the company’s license that December. It found Lifetime Solar guilty of 88 violations and fined the company $313,000.
“There was an emphasis on seniors, unfortunately,” Behar said. “That’s something we’ve seen across our state, and something we’re very aware of.”
Behar said the board has put together consumer workshops and public information campaigns urging customers to get multiple quotes and make sure the companies they choose are licensed contractors.
“Oftentimes they’re caught off guard, they’re very vulnerable,” Behar said.
Some victims received payment through the board’s Residential Recovery fund, which compensates victims of licensed contractors who’ve damaged their homes. Victims can receive up to $40,000.
Anyone with a complaint about a residential solar company or unlicensed contractor should contact the board at www.nscb.nv.gov. Solar-related complaints should be emailed to [email protected].
[email protected] / 702-948-7836 / @musettasun