Storm Water Thoughts...Inspector Impersonators

In the past two weeks I have heard disturbing news that there are individuals out there representing themselves as "Regional Water Quality Inspectors". If someone enters your office or building site, make sure that people claiming to be a RWQCB Inspectors, actually are, and not someone trying to sell you product or services. It's an old scam used occasionally throughout the country. An individual impersonates an official inspector of a given Agency, e.g. OSHA, EPA, RWQCB, etc. The goal is to make you afraid that you are in gross violation, and then either extort money from you to keep quiet, or sell you product that you may or may not need. These people have an agenda, and its not necessarily in your interest, they will say anything to get you to part with your money.

California Help Impersonating a police officer?
b) Any person who falsely represents himself or herself to be a public officer, investigator, or

inspector

in any state department and who, in that assumed character, does any of the following shall be punished by imprisonment in a county jail not exceeding one year, by a fine not exceeding two thousand five hundred dollars ($2,500), or by both that fine and imprisonment, or by imprisonment in the state prison:

(1) Arrests, detains, or threatens to arrest or detain any person.

(2) Otherwise intimidates any person.

(3) Searches any person, building, or other property of any person.

(4) Obtains money, property, or other thing of value


Oakland police arrest man in bogus inspector case
Associated Press
11/25/09 7:20 PM PST
OAKLAND, CALIF. — Oakland police have arrested a man they say was shaking down business owners by pretending to be a labor inspector.
Police say Michael Bolanos was taken into custody after reports that a man with a badge was walking into small businesses, pretending to be a state or federal inspector and claiming to have found violations that would result in expensive fines.
Bolanos would then allegedly take payments of $350 to $800 from the business owner.
Investigators say since arresting Bolanos on Nov. 4, they have found 19 business owners who were victimized.
Oakland police Officer Dave Wong says Bolanos has been charged with multiple felony counts of theft and extortion and misdemeanor counts of impersonating a state officer.
Bolanos has pleaded not guilty to the charges.

Suspect apprehended after posing as Cal/OSHA inspectorSACRAMENTO --A paroled felon who allegedly victimized several minority-owned small businesses in the Los Angeles County area by posing as a Cal/OSHA inspector was recently arrested in a joint Cal/OSHA sting operation conducted by the Los Angeles County District Attorney's Major Crimes Unit.
The suspect, Mark Dwayne Jackson, threatened to impose severe monetary fines and penalties for non-existent safety violations unless the owners agreed to a cash settlement. In return Jackson promised not to issue citations against them.
Jackson presented false OSHA identification cards bearing the name of one of the inspectors with the Cal/OSHA Anaheim High Hazard Unit.
Jackson was apprehended after a business owner agreed to be wired and pass marked money to the suspect. The suspect was arrested at the scene of the owner's business.
After a search warrant was obtained, investigation of Jackson's home and vehicle turned up evidence of OSHA paraphernalia and false OSHA identification cards bearing a colored photograph of the suspect and the name of a Cal/OSHA inspector. Also discovered were names and addresses of other potential business victims.
The suspect will be charged with penal code violation 146a(b)(2), impersonating a state officer.
"We hope business owners take heed of this case in Los Angeles to avoid a similar experience," said John Howard, Cal/OSHA chief. "Impersonation of a Cal/OSHA inspector undermines the real work of Cal/OSHA which is to protect workplace safety and health."
Beware: Fake Inspector 'Forgives' Fines for Cash
The California Department of Industrial Relations' Division of Occupational Safety and Health (Cal/OSHA) is investigating several incidents involving a man impersonating a Cal/OSHA inspector and suspected of defrauding restaurant owners. According to Cal/OSHA, several similar incidents have occurred across the southern part of the state, in the costal region near Santa Barbara and in Roseville.
Cal/OSHA reports that after producing what appears to be a valid identification, the suspect inspects the worksite finding alleged safety violations that, according to him, add up to thousands of dollars in fines. The suspect then informs the business owner that he will not issue citations if they give him cash immediately.
"It is important for all employers to know that a Cal/OSHA inspector will never request payment on-site, under any circumstance. Moreover, an inspector will never request payment in lieu of citations," said Acting Division Chief Len Welsh. "We encourage all employers to ask for a state identification card and a business card. If the employer has suspicions that the individual is not a true Cal/OSHA representative, additional verification may be obtained by calling Cal/OSHA's local office to ask about the individual."
Business owners should know that Cal/OSHA citations are payable only after issuance of a citation, and the preferred method is through the mail to the California Department of Industrial Relations' Accounting Unit. All payment details are clearly spelled out on the citation itself when it is issued. If an inspector ever requests payment on-site for any reason, employers are urged to call Cal/OSHA headquarters immediately at 510-286-7000. Cal/OSHA will then contact local law enforcement officials.
Worksite health and safety inspections are typically conducted with no prior notice, and Cal/OSHA representatives identify themselves to the employer by showing their State of California Photo Identification Card and Division of Occupational Safety and Health business card prior to conducting an inspection.
The Roseville Police Department has issued a warrant for the arrest of a man who they believe was part of two recent incidents involving impersonating a Cal/OSHA inspector

Beware these people are out there.