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Molino Man Facing Felony For Unlicensed Contracting During State Of Emergency
April 27, 2016
A Molino man has been arrested for allegedly acting as a contractor without a license during the state of emergency that was declared following the February tornadoes.
Kenneth Brian Malarik, Sr, was charged with felony unlicensed contracting during a state of emergency, felony grand theft and unpermitted construction. The charges were directly filed by the investigative division of Escambia County Building Services Building Code Enforcement.
On February 23, Malarik, 51, allegedly entered into a written contract and accepted a $5,841 down payment to build an outdoor pergola at home near Pine Forest High School. He never finished the work, according to an arrest affidavit, after the homeowner demanded a copy of a building permit. He never returned to the jobsite, and his tools where retrieved by an employee, the affidavit states.
Escambia County’s building officials reported that they attempted unsuccessfully to reach Malarik by certified mail and email. A records search determined that Malark is not licensed by the county or state as a general, building or residential contractor.
At the time Malarik was working on the pergola, Escambia County was under a declared state of emergency due to the tornadoes that struck the Century and Ferry Pass areas. The pergola construction was not in an area damaged by either tornado.
Malarik was released from the Escambia County Jail Tuesday afternoon on a $5,500 bond.
Comments
9 Responses to “Molino Man Facing Felony For Unlicensed Contracting During State Of Emergency”
@Anna
Thats exactly right except for the SOF part. Its Escambia County. I purchased a storage shed and had to have a building permit before they would deliver it. NO INSPECTION. They delivered it the same way they would’ve without the permit. Go figure.
@jeeperman: it is all about the $ anything can be a missle during bad weather. Flower pots, lawn furniture, car parts, ATV’s etc. Requiring permits for every repair etc is simple about extra miney for SOF.
The point is ..he stole almost 6k from the homeowner…permit or license not withstanding…
Don’t let the actions of an illegal contractor mar the image of us legitimate contractors. A simple search on mysunbiz.org will let you find every licensed contractor in the state. I require a deposit when I have a hurricane shutter job to cover materials cost. The public can’t just walk in and buy Fabric Shield. $5800 for a pergola sounds excessive and contractors are required to file a notice of commencement on any project over $2500..
It use to be that “accessory structures” like this pergola, storage sheds, barns, etc. did not need a building permit if less than 400sqft and no power.
Now EVERYTHING must be permitted.
Why?
Because the state of Florida no longer wants shoddy construction because of the potential of the shoddy construction becoming missiles during severe storms.
If your property has been hurricane “proofed” do you want your neighbors shoddy construction projects blowing apart and blown thru your residence, etc. ?
I agree with Fed Up…….Give me a break. A building permit for a pergola. Ridiculous. Here is another crazy one. Having to license your 4-wheeler when it never goes, or is aloud, to go on the road. The State of Florida knows how to rob you blind.
Sorry folks are out there, and they don’t mind taking advantage of people. Sounds like he got what was coming to him. The other thing I want to mention is how intrusive the government has become in our lives. Why in the world do you need a permit to build a pergola? I understand the need for building codes for houses and buildings but a pergola is a bunch of sticks screwed together to look pretty. I will step off my soap box now.
If a contractor ask for money up front that is a warning. All contractors I have dealt with never asked for up front money. I always pay for the material to the company it was purchased from directly. I ask for license and insurance if they can’t provide it I don’t let them on my property. I do pay for work done as it’s done. Never pay more than half until you are satisfied. Never had a problem getting contractors to work for me Honest contractors are out there you have to do your homework and don’t be in a hurry.
KARMA will get you every time