Contra Costa County D.A.
warns of contractor fraud

By Bay City News
Homeowners in Contra Costa County should be wary of unlicensed contractors soliciting them for business, Contra Costa County District Attorney Robert Kochly reported Tuesday.
According to Kochly, the county has seen a wave of unlicensed contractors going door to door seeking landscaping or concrete work.
“Many of these contractors pose as legitimate licensed contractors with business cards, preprinted contracts, and stenciling on trucks that indicate the contractor is licensed, bonded, and insured.
However, in many cases, the alleged contractor is not licensed, bonded or insured and is really only interested in ripping off the homeowner,” Kochly said in a statement.
Foreign-born citizens seem to be the false contractors’ common targets, according to Kochly. Kochly said the fake contractors often offer low bids to entice homeowners to pay for the work up front.
Following payment, the illegitimate contractor may begin work and not finish it, complete the job at substandard levels, or not do any work at all, leaving the homeowner to foot the bill to finish or redo the work.
“Most of our victims end up sustaining losses between $8,000 to $10,000 or more,” Kochly said.
To avoid being victimized, homeowners should question significantly low job estimates and refuse to pay any more than 10 percent of the invoice up front,” Kochly said.

Black Panther foundation seeks to sell
‘Burn Baby Burn’
hot sauce

By Associated Press

OAKLAND - Former Black Panthers are hoping the phrase “Burn Baby Burn” will help their nonprofit organization market a new product - hot sauce.
The Huey P. Newton Foundation, named for the co-founder of the 1960s militant group, is seeking to trademark the phrase that for many brings to mind the racially charged 1965 Watts Riots in Los Angeles that left more than 30 people dead, at least 1,000 wounded and hundreds of buildings in ashes.
The new line of hot sauce, called “Burn Baby Burn: A Taste of the Sixties Revolutionary Hot Sauce,” is aimed at , “Any-one who wants to have an extra savory boost to their food,” executive director and original Black Panther David Hilliard said in an interview.
“The hot sauce is another way to raise money and bring attention to the Huey Newton Foundation,” Hilliard said.
“We’re trying to turn the tide of violence and educate young people through our work.”
The foundation’s hot sauce plans were first reported by The Smoking Gun, a Web site that posts court documents, usually involving celebrities.
The foundation also plans to produce its own salsa, as well as a clothing line called “Spirit of the Sixties.”
Hilliard said the group hopes to start selling the spicy condiment later this year to commemorate the 40th anniversary of the 1966 founding of the Black Panther Party.