Over 40 Arrested in Florida Contractor Sting

In a significant crackdown on unlicensed contractors in Pinellas County, law enforcement arrested over 40 individuals during a two-day undercover operation, dubbed 'Operation Flood of Fraud 2', following Hurricanes Helene and Milton. The operation, led by the Pinellas County Sheriff's Office and Clearwater Police Department, revealed that many of these suspects were exploiting residents desperate for repair work, with all charges being felonies due to the ongoing state of emergency. Sheriff Bob Gualtieri highlighted that the majority of those arrested were not local, indicating an influx of outsiders attempting to take advantage of the situation. Reports from vigilant residents played a crucial role in identifying unlicensed contractors, including one case involving a $200,000 job. The authorities have emphasized the importance of verifying contractor licenses to protect the community from fraud and shoddy work.