Morgan Hill police are advising residents to be cautious when
hiring contractors for jobs at their homes because a suspect who
has been arrested for working without a contractor’s license has
been seen in the area again.
Morgan Hill police are advising residents to be cautious when hiring contractors for jobs at their homes because a suspect who has been arrested for working without a contractor’s license has been seen in the area again.
On April 16, Emmanuel Palma, 42, of Santa Clara was booked into Santa Clara County Jail on charges of probation violation, contracting without a license, advertising for construction work without a license and using a license number with intent to defraud. He also violated a Morgan Hill municipal code requiring contractors to have a license. This was his third offense of contracting without a license.
The Santa Clara County District Attorney’s Office has filed one felony charge and one misdemeanor charge to date.
Before he was arrested in April, Palma had worked on several jobs at various homes including electrical, landscaping, gas pipes and concrete work. According to Morgan Hill police Special Operations Sgt. Jerry Neumayer, there were multiple victims, and the total loss was more than $27,000.
Palma was using business cards with the name “Manuel Landscaping” and a false contractor’s license number on them, Neumayer added.
Since his release from jail, Palma has been seen in Morgan Hill neighborhoods such as Coyote Estates. Additional victims have come forward in Morgan Hill and Gilroy.
Neumayer said the police department is recommending that residents determine whether a contractor they are planning to hire is legally licensed.
To inquire about a contractor, contact the Contractors State License Board,
