Dozens of contractors swept up in sting

Bloomfield, Conn. (WTNH) - Dozens of home improvement contractors and salespersons are facing fines and/or criminal charges following a five month undercover sting by the Department of Consumer Protection.

The DCP set up the sting house on Marguerite Avenue in Bloomfield.

DCP Commissioner, Jerry Farrell, says 54 home improvement contractors and salespersons were not registered with the DCP. Three unregistered locksmiths and five unregistered homemaker companion agencies were also cited.

"The number one consumer complaint in Connecticut each year is still home improvement, so we take our enforcement role very seriously," Farrell said. "This is our ninth 'sting house,' and we'll continue to pursue this issue until contractors get the message that working without a registration is a punishable offense."

The unregistered contractors were from all over Connecticut and Massachusetts and offered work such as roofing, landscaping, and masonry.