Escambia County revokes permitting privileges for LM Construction contractor for five years

The Escambia County Contractor Competency Board voted March 4 to revoke permitting privileges for five years for Saul D. Spade, who does business as LM Construction and Roofing, after finding him in violation on three counts including fraud or gross negligence, abandonment of a project and performing work without required permits.

At the disciplinary hearing staff moved prior probable-cause testimony and exhibits into evidence. The board cited code section 18-37(c)(11) (fraud, deceit or gross negligence), 18-37(c)(8) (abandonment after 90 days) and 18-37(d)(15)(c) (job finished without required permits) in its determination. By voice vote members approved a five-year revocation of the contractor’s county permitting privileges and agreed to recommend revocation of his certificate to the state Construction Industry Licensing Board.

The board’s prosecutor noted the county’s disciplinary authority is limited to permitting privileges for state-certified contractors but that it may recommend further action to the state board. The chair said the board relied on documentary evidence and testimony introduced at the probable-cause hearing and during the disciplinary proceeding in reaching its decision.

The board’s motion to revoke was approved and recorded on the public record; the board noted the revocation covers all three counts together. The Escambia County action affects the contractor’s ability to pull permits in the county for the duration of the sanction. The board did not announce any criminal referrals at the meeting.

The decision is final at the county level for permitting privileges; the board recommended the state board consider revocation of the contractor’s certificate of competency. The county will notify the contractor and publish the administrative order in accordance with its procedures.