Unlicensed contractors who allegedly targeted victims of the Eaton Fire in Altadena face felony charges, Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan Hochman announced on Thursday.

Five people have been charged with being unlicensed contractors under the California Business Professions Code, 7028.16. The statute addresses anyone acting as a contractor for repairs or improvements on damaged property during a disaster recovery period without a valid license.

A first offense can result in a fine up to $10,000, or 16 months, 2, or 3 years in prison, or both; repeat offenses can escalate, per the statute.

Hochman called the unlicensed contractors part of the "tragic underbelly" of the rebuilding process, allegedly profiting and taking advantage of community members in an area of a declared em

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