Contractor arrested on fraud charges

A Connecticut paving contractor facing fraud and theft charges in Yuba County was arrested Wednesday in Chico, where he was back at work, according to the Contractors State License Board.

George Stanley, 29, and two cousins from Massachusetts were arrested outside a Chico motel on suspicion of elder abuse, theft, contracting without a license and other offenses, said CSLB spokeswoman Venus Stromberg.

Investigators with CSLB’s State Investigative Fraud Team, officers from the California Highway Patrol, Butte County District Attorney’s Office and Chico Police Department arrested Stanley and two of his cousins, Kevin Snow, 21, and George Snow, 19, both of Salisbury, Mass.

Board investigators began tracking Stanley this week after receiving tips that he was at work in Butte and Glenn counties. It is believed that the group has been working in the Chico, Paradise and Orland areas for at least the past six weeks under the company name Porrero McLaughlin, according to the state board.

Stanley was arrested in April 2008 in Yuba County on suspicion of fraud, theft and other charges and is scheduled to have a preliminary hearing July 29 in Yuba County Superior Court.

Stanley allegedly told customers he could fix their driveways and parking lots with leftover materials, then asked for more money to finish the job. When the faulty pavement began to crumble, Stanley and his crew had already left town, according to the board. He operated in Yuba County under the name Community Paving.

Stanley’s bail is set at $40,000, and he faces an additional felony charge for committing a felony while on bail for another felony.

Anyone who has done business with Stanley is encouraged to contact the state board at 916-255-2924.