Embedded Files
This three part expose steps you quickly into a world of murky contractors and oversight systems
that are failing us collectively in bad ways.
In Part 1 you are introduced to Elderly Veteran, Charlie Field, of the Elkhorn Slough neighborhood. Verbal quotes turned into confusing engagements for contracting work for $6,800 and $35,000 in ways that should never have transpired with two licensed contractors.
In Part 2, you are introduced to broader concerns about contract formation practices and work abandonment transpiring statewide with little consequence. Fully illogical if the civil system (Civil Attorneys, DAs, Judges, State Professional Oversight) is working at all.
In Part 3, you are provided with granular details, documents, evidence and formal complaints related to Charlie's experience.
The message is Crystal Clear.
Something is horrible wrong in California right now.
The Compass needed for Civil organization and navigation has been lost.
Wholesale change is needed ASAP.
PART 1 - Elderly Veteran engages with two separate contractors known to each other with no signed Contracts, and things go bad...
PART 1 - Elderly Veteran engages with two separate contractors known to each other with no signed Contracts, and things go bad...
1/3/2026 - yet, STILL IN DRAFT...
In the quiet coastal area near the Elkhorn Slough, just inland from Moss Landing CA, 78-year-old veteran and retired carpenter Charlie Field faced a challenge no senior should endure. After his wife's stroke left her hospitalized, Charlie worked to make their home accessible—seeking a simple chair lift and walk-in shower conversion.
What started as hopeful verbal quotes from local contractors Marc Sagal of Access Options Inc and Jose Fernando Luis Delgado of FRG Handyman spiraled into a web of unsigned contracts, checks and debit card payments out of order, and in the case of FRG Handyman, a request for a $5000 progress check when minimal work had been done since a $3000 check was cashed.
Was this a case of attempted exploitation?
Sagal of Access Options Inc has described a phone order that doesn't seem to have happened. A deposit for $3400 was taken somehow with no signed quote or contract.
Delgado of FRG Handyman got a $3000 check to get going with nothing signed. His crew demolished a bathtub and shifted plumbing, but progress stalled. Checks totaling $11,000 (or $8,000) were cashed by Delgado —and they were filled out by Delgado himself due to Charlie's shaky hands— after which an unsigned $35,000 invoice appeared out of nowhere. That was over triple the expected amount per Charlie's understanding of he verbal Agreement.
This FRG Handyman (FRG Construction) invoice was pre-dated to the job start date but never presented or discussed prior. It and an attachment presented later had no material details about work on it (no details about size of shower, type or color of tile or grout, doors or no doors, drain size/style/color, fixture details, grab bar details, seat or no seat, who's pulling permit, etc).
This FRG Handyman (FRG Construction) invoice is also without a Contractor License Number, which is required if he had one, and the work would not be legal for him to do if he didn't.
When Charlie, with his neighbor and brothers support, terminated the relationships via email -- due to lack of signed contracts, the fact that Sagal had referred Delgado and they were known to each other, and the excessive concerns with FRG Handyman issues -- their responses were brazen:
Sagal of Access Options Inc showed little concern for lack of a signed contract while describing a payment process that does not seem to have transpired. To his credit, he did quickly refund a $3400 deposit to square up on the deposit for a $6,800 job that had not started yet.
Delgado went a different direction. He inflated "accountings" claiming 170 hours of labor for minimal work, threatened a mechanic's lien, and then fired out a "$6,000 settlement offer" with no logic or facts behind it — all via email with suspicious polish and confusion, hinting at a disorganized team effort and the use of AI to sound professional.
And here's a troubling twist you nor they could have ever imagined:
The neighbor handling the break ups via email added three Monterey County Assistant DA's, the Registrar for the Contractors State Licensing Board (CSLB), the County Supervisor for District 2, and his Chief of Staff to the Cc just a few volleys in to see how they'd react. After engaging improperly with an Elderly Veteran, that's not something any Contractor imagines in their worst nightmare.
Yet, neither contractor showed concern for lack of written contracts -- and the FRG Handyman team continued with fully illogical behavior and escalated demands including threat of Mechanic Liens in "good faith" and a final ultimatum for a $6000 cashiers check to "settle it all" with nothing at all to support the math -- and only a gutted shower as proof of work.
The image to the right is the final condition of the job, after $11,000 ($8,000) was collected and a bill for $18,000 was generated for termination of agreement.
Who does that ?
This gut job and shower base represents $18,000 in work according to Delgado / FRG Handyman. He put that in writing and then doubled and tripled down on that position with 3 DA's, the CSLB Registrar, and the relevant County Supervisor on the email string. Who does that?
This should not be recorded as one man's ordeal. Nor two or three. This exposes commercial insanity and a glaring crevasse in California contractor education, licensing and oversight systems:
Two contractors with no fear of telling the CSLB Registrar and DAs via email they were engaging in Verbal Contracts with an Elder for $6,800 and $35,000. FRG / Delgado then continued to seemingly attempt to extort they elderly veteran while knowing those deemed most appropriate for oversight were on the Cc.
If this isn't commerce gone rogue, what is?
PART 2 - Is One Elderly Veteran Victim's Story the doorway into a world of statewide Systemic Failure affecting everyone regardless of age and service status?
PART 2 - Is One Elderly Veteran Victim's Story the doorway into a world of statewide Systemic Failure affecting everyone regardless of age and service status?
Recently, over 400 ADU (alternative dwelling unit) contract scams were reported -- averaging $110,000 each, totaling over $40 million statewide. And those are but drops in a larger bucket the CSLB is reporting on for state wide fraud as if they are patrons at a show, not enforcers with a glow.
In response to the unmitigated ADU contract fraud concerns, Politicians are proposing "special contract formation laws" to protect those engaging in ADU contracts , as if contract law varies in ways it does NOT.
Where are the Civil Attorneys? Why aren't they the saving grace for the victims? Is there something wrong with enforcing contract formation laws in CA that the masses are unaware of?
Why aren't Civil Attorneys and Judges telling the politicians no new laws are needed -- that contract law is the foundation of all civil systems and a contract is a contract is a contract?
Why didn't the DA's step in years ago when it was clear the centralized CSLB was not satisfactory and the Civil Attorneys were "absent" ?
What is the CSLB teaching and testing for if not statutory understanding about contract formation and breach of contract matters?
What are the CSLB Investigators and Administrative Judges doing that leaves the Contractors feeling so free to do as they please?
Something feels very wrong here. Can you feel it too?
Is the entire California Contractor System actually designed to create statutorily numb contractors and employ toothless overseers in order to create unavoidable negative outcomes for consumers and vulnerable elders across the state?
Has something just been exposed that's been festering for decades? Maybe going back to the mid 1980s or prior with no proper media coverage?
In a community already vulnerable from the January 2025 Vistra battery storage facility fire at Moss Landing, where seemingly systemic gaps with local governance and fire protection standards allowed a major industrial incident to unfold with devastating local consequences -- how much more can they take?
This isn't just one family's tragedy—it's a symptom of a broader failure in oversight.
In both cases, the public is left exposed while explanations and accountability remain elusive.
Share if you've heard of similar schemes or have similar concerns.
Demand re-categorization of contractor schemes as criminal,
with local police doing the investigations.
"Figure out" what's wrong with CA Contract formation law and CSLB Discipline across the board.
Get far better outcomes.
Eliminate the Fraud Completely.
Eradicate it.
PART 3 - Dive Deeper into Charlie's full story below
PART 3 - Dive Deeper into Charlie's full story below
Below you'll find chronology and testimony with irrefutable evidence—emails, invoices, photos, and complaints filed with authorities. This isn't speculation; it's a call for accountability and change, with clear suggestions there are for more systemic matters to blame than just two questionable dudes.
Chronology from November 2025 through December 13, 2025 - Engagement thru Un-engagement
Chronology from November 2025 through December 13, 2025 - Engagement thru Un-engagement
In November 2025 Vietnam Veteran , Senior Citizen, and Retired Carpenter Charlie Field met with Marc Sagal of Access Options at Sagal's Watsonville CA shop to discuss a chair lift installation.
Charlie's wife had recently had a stroke. If/when she came home she needed a stair lift because their kitchen and a bedroom was on the 2nd floor.
Sagal agreed to come to Charlie's home at a later date for a quote.
Before ending their first meeting, Charlie asked Sagal if he knew anyone who could do a tub to walk in shower conversion. Sagal said he had done jobs with FRG Handyman / Jose Fernando Luis Delgado, before. He gave Charlie FRG Handyman's phone number.
Although Charile has an internet connection and an old computer. He doesn't use it anymore. He's not sure how anymore. If he had used it to check out FRG Handyman he would have seen they are a HUGE organization with over two decades of Remodeling Excellence (according to their website)...
NOTE: A Handyman in CA is a non-licensed occupation and was limited to jobs under $500. That limit has recnetly been increased to $1000. Any single project over $500/$1000 can only legally be done by a "Licensed Contractor" (technically). The FRG website calls window and door replacements, fencing, deck installs interior and exterior painting and kitchen and bath remodels "handyman" work when in fact none of that qualified unless it was under $500. The CSLB records state FRG has only been licensed since early 2024 and that their license was suspended in late 2025 , prior to quoting work for Charlie for lack of Work Comp insurance. Something is very in-congruent in the marketing, but Charlie saw none of that and most likely would have taken it at face value too.
In November 2025 Charlie called Delgado / FRG Handyman to discuss a tub to walk in shower conversion.
Delgado scheduled a visit and arrived in a truck with a magnet sign and company lettering on it. No CSLB License number as is required by law if they are licensed, but Charlie didn't know that.
Delgado verbally quoted Charlie $6000 for a shower. ( Delgago disputes this. He states he quoted Charlie $18,000).
Delgado encouraged Charlie to do two tub remodels for around $10,000 or so. ( Delgado disputes this. He states he quoted Charlie $35,000 for both ).
Charlie verbally agreed to start with one bathroom at their first meeting.
No money changed hands and no written quotes or contracts were presented or signed that day.
On 12/1/2025 Delgado showed up for first day of work on a tub to shower conversion with a demo crew.
At that time Delgado asked for a $3000 check. Charlie struggles with handwriting, so he gave Delgado his check book for Delgado to write the check. Charlie then signed the check.
Delgado left without providing any quote or contract for signature even though all contracts over $500 in CA must be in writing. Delgado also pulled no permits even though that is required for this type of work. As it turned out, FRG Handyman had only been licensed for 18 months when starting the contract, even though his website represented years of contracting. Furthermore, his 18 month old license shows it was suspeneded prior to engaging with Charlie and still shows as supsended today. (Delgado states that was a misunderstanding with the CSLB and they just haven't updated it yet).
The first few days work got done, but they were slow.
They eventually got the tub out, the walls with tile out and put the liner for a shower base in over a thin presloped mortar bed.
On 12/5/2025 Marc Sagal of Access Options came over to quote the stair lift job. He counted stairs. Sagal then provided some verbal quotes for a chair lift. He left without presenting or signing any quotes or contracts. Sagal emailed two quotes to Charlie later that day after being told by Charlie he didn't check his email. Sagal claims Charlie reviewed the emailed quotes, called him with his order, and provided a debit card number over the phone for processing. None of that is factual per Charlie, and at this time, it's not believed phone records for either Sagal or Charlie will support Sagal's version of events. It seems something quite different transpired.
From 12/7/2025 - 12/12/2025 little to no work transpired on the tub project by Delgagado / FRG Handyman. During prior work he seemed to have at least 2 supervisors and 4-5 laborers changing in and out, so that part was a little inconsistent too.
Yet, on 12/12/2025 Delgado called Charlie and told him he'd be coming over for another check. That made Charlie uncomfortable given the lack of progress. Upon arrival Delgado asked him for a $5000 progress check, on top of the $6000 (or $3000) already paid. The image to right shows status of the shower conversion project at that time. Does that look like $11,000 (or $8,000) in progress to you?
Charlie felt pressured to pay him even though little work was done. He gave Delgado his check book so Delagdo could fill out another check for him to sign.
After Charlie signed the check, Delgado presented Charlie with a piece of paper that showed a quote/invoice for $35,000. Charlie felt very uncomfortable and said so. To his recollection Delgado said, "What's wrong, Charlie? Don't you like my work?".
Delgado then told Charlie he did not bring a paper copy of this quote/invoice for Charlie. Instead he wanted access to Charlies computer to put a quote on there (seemingly knowing Charlie didn't use his computer as he'd been told that prior).
An inspection of the computer seems to reveal Delgado got on the computer and sent himself a test email. Possibly to confirm Charlies internet connection and email client. Then Delgado sent an email from Square (the credit card processing system) to Charlie's email address to get a quote on Charlie's computer.
After Delgado left, Charlie called his next door neighbor and brother and asked for help. They stepped in and supported termination of engagements with Sagal and Delgado using email only. No verbal dialogue.
Charlie got one call from Delgado after being instructed not to contact him. It was to confirm the neighbor's email about job termination was in fact his desire. He confirmed that and that call ended and all other dialogue is in writing.
What transpired then in writing is shocking. Read the emails yourself to gain that undestanding.
Initial Concerns related to Lack of Signed Quotes or Contracts and seemingly no fear of CSLB or DA discipline
Initial Concerns related to Lack of Signed Quotes or Contracts and seemingly no fear of CSLB or DA discipline
The emails initially reveal zero fear or concern about engaging in $6500 and $35,000 ($10,000) agreements with no written quotes, contracts, or signatures.
The Contractors State Licensing Board (CSLB) CA and the Business and Professional Codes that guide them require written and signed contracts for all agreements over $500. Neither Sagal or Delgado can produce anything related to signed documents detailing work or agreements, and neither seemed concerned about that at all.
Sagal stated his verbal agreement was for over $6,500. Which lift was promised? What options were included? What color was chosen? What was the warranty going to be? Sagal stated he's been in business for decades. In writing, with DA's and the CSLB Registrar on the email string, Sagal stated a deposit payment and verbal agreement was sufficient, yet as of now, it seems a call to agree to the order and approve payment never transpired as Sagal stated. Furthermore, he wants us to believe Charlie viewed two separate quotes via email and instead of just responding to those with "I want this one", he picked up the phone and made a call. And that he felt no need to reply via email after an agreement was formed to document the agreement and payment?
Delgado stated his verbal contract was for over $35,000. (Charlie thought it was for around $10,000) . Delgado and his website states he's been in business for over 20 years, while his licensing shows he's only been licensed for 18 months. Per his own words this suggests he's been contracting without a license for 18 years. Delgado's license was suspended at the time he quoted and started the job and it appears to still be suspended as of now. Delgado states that was related to an insurance coverage misunderstanding and it was the CSLBs fault his license was not showing active. No permits were pulled, when in fact those are required not only to protect the current homeowner but to put all others in the future on notice of who did what work prior.
Both Sagal and Delgado seem to have gone out of their way to get copies of unsigned quotes / unsigned invoices onto Charlie's Computer knowing he didn't use or check his email. That part seems quite odd when combined with the lack of signed documents and their position about verbal agreements. Why would they do that?
Massive Concerns related to CSLB, DA and Court Integrity
Massive Concerns related to CSLB, DA and Court Integrity
The current Registrar for the CSLB is David Fogt. He has been involved there since the early 1990s. It's unclear what type of licensing test and/or lack of enforcement is transpiring to produce two people who feel so comfortable with ignoring state statutes.
This publisher is keenly aware of other concerns with CSLB investigations into claims of $110,000 in fraud where contractors there also showed no fear for CSLB, DA or Civile Judge discipline -- and the CSLB did no proper investigations contrary to their clear statutory duty to do so.
Thus a gross example can be provided that would show another time when Contrators did not fear the CSLB , DA, Judges or others -- with their failures in oversight exposed in a way that would absolutely create the beliefs they were free to do as they wish.
Recent reports state the CSLB has also been unable to manage over 400 breach of contract issues with ADU (Accessory Dwelling Unit) construction contracts. There has been zero clear or comprehend-able indications as to why they can't enforce existing Fraud and BPC statutes properly. It's their job.
The CSLB has "investigators" on payroll, but it's like nobody knows how to do their job or they are being paid not to do it.
New legislation has been proposed to protect people from ADU contract fraud schemes. That's fully illogical given a contract is a contract is a contract. No new laws need to exist for any contract formation process instruction or prosecution. They all exist. We just need to find people sane enough, grounded enough, and/or unbiased enough to enforce them.
Something very odd is transpiring all the way around with the CSLB, their contractors, investigators and the Courts. The unified feeling that none are obligated to form or satisfy contracts properly is simply bizarre.
How does such an inverted state of understanding and/or behavior come into being?
Summary of Reconciliation for Charlie -- and lack there of -- and the use of AI by multiple people to make illogical demands.
Summary of Reconciliation for Charlie -- and lack there of -- and the use of AI by multiple people to make illogical demands.
When pressured on facts and missing signed documents, Sagal of Access Options Inc chose to return Charlie's deposit in full while making what seems to be false statements about his engagement with Charlie. (NOTE: He had done no work in the home. He claims he had ordered material and the document provided after the fact stated there was a $575 shipping fee. With his reconciliation, he covered any shipping and restock fees that may have been relevant, thus no financial issues are outstanding.)
Delgado o FRG Handyman had done some work in the home, and he took a totally different route than Sagal. He initially stated he'd provide an accounting reconciliation of work done up until cancellation.
The tub and tile walls had been removed, a small 2x4 wooden curb, and showerpan liner had been installed.
Rough estimates for that work might range from $1000-2000. Yet, according to Delgado's Accounting Reconciliation , over $18,000 in work was done.
How does that math work?
Delgado stated his verbal quote for each tub - shower conversion was $18,000 . Only about 10% of that job was done. Yet he stated in writing $18,000 was due for work done. Nothing made any sense but here's where it gets even stranger...
Prior to receipt of the accounting reconciliation that made no sense, three Assistant Attorney Generals for Monterey County (Hubanks, Eubanks and Haag), the Commissioner for the CSLB (Fogt), Monterey County District 2 Supervisor (Glenn Church) and his Chief of Staff (Marilyn Vierra) had been added directly on the cc of the email string AND notice was given in writing in the string that they had been added so Delgado didn't miss them .
The assumption was that would stop Delgado from doing anything further that was odd or unlawful, that he might wish he hadn't done later.
Instead Delgado provided the accounting that stated 175 hours in work had been done -- and $1000's in material had been installed.
When challenged he refused to provide any documents to support his facts and he then doubled and tripled down on collections.
He did that seemingly with the use of AI to draft mechanic lien threats and final offer demands.
A review of he emails seems at least one additional person and/or multiple people were supporting the AI driven email work of Delgado. I
t is believed that only 1 or 2 emails of over 10 might have been written by him.
A deep dive into speculation reveals a Canadian or American living in Nicarauga may have been supporting Delgado with the prose, or coaching on how to prose it. Delgado's website developer fits that description. He seems to pride himself on sales and building out sites that confuse current actual experience with past facts that are blurry. The connection between the two beyond vendor-customer for website services is just speculative at this time. It might however provide an explanation for some of the confusion.
This seems to expose an entirely new level of brazenness and concern related to the size of Delgados operation, the use of AI for negative gains, and the potential for criminal networks to be operating behind a local contractor sales person and/or four brothers -- that may include international comms.
Delgado was provided this photo with 2nd termination notice. Delgago stated this represnts $18,000 in work. He stated this was 175 hours of labor and that grab bars and other materials were installed.
Statement of Facts / Complaints / Evidence
Statement of Facts / Complaints / Evidence
These documents below contain all facts Charlie Field would like to share at this time about his experience with Sagal and Delgado (both Licensed CA Contractors).
Statement of Facts
Charlie Field Statement of Facts Related to Access Options (Marc Sagal) and FRG Handyman (Jose Fernando Luis Delgado) - gDoc 1.5 pages
Possible Legal Violations
Hefty List of possible legal violations view
Access Options Related Documents (Stair Lift)
Email Volleys gDoc Email Volleys
FRG Handyman Related Documents (Tub to Shower Remodel)
Complaints
To CSLB , DA and Social Services gDoc
Email Volleys
gDoc Email Volleys gSheet Email Volley Summary Table
Email Attachments
10_suspendedLicense
11_bondHistory
12 -- void
13_terminationLetter
14_1_Invoicefor35k_unsigned
14_2_estimate18k_unsigned
14_3_warranty
14_4_workersComm
15_terminationLetter2
16_cancellationAccounting
17_cancellationAccountingAdjusted
18_1_tools-material
18_2_tools-material
18_3_tools-material
19_bounceCheck
20_uspsTracking
Potential Legal Violations (some extremely serious and concerning matters)
Potential Legal Violations (some extremely serious and concerning matters)
Summary of Email Volleys with Delgado
Summary of Email Volleys with Delgado
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