A state agency is offering free inspections of work done by a Waterville electrician whose license was indefinitely suspended for shoddy, unlicensed work that officials described as a safety hazard.

Citing “serious concerns about public safety,” the state Electricians’ Examining Board is offering free inspections to anyone who had electrical work done by former electrician Craig Shores and wants to get the work checked out, said Doug Dunbar, spokesman for the Maine Department of Professional and Financial Regulation.

“The board has taken this unusual step and is offering free inspections and would also like to know about other wiring jobs that have been conducted,” said Dunbar.

Dunbar said it is unusual for the department to send out a press release about the examining board’s rulings, but he wanted to make sure the public knew that Shores is not licensed and should not be hired for electrical work.

A call to Shores was not returned.

The examining board found Shores to have committed permit violations and National Electric Code violations, according to an order from the board finalized March 20. He still owes $6,500 in fines and $1,405 in hearing costs for a similar 2009 disciplinary order.

A release from the department states that Shores, “with a previously expired and suspended license, has continued to engage in dangerous wiring practices that present a threat to public safety and property.” After a hearing that Shores did not attend, the board suspended his right to renew his expired master electrician license indefinitely. He was also fined $8,250.

Anyone who had work done by Shores may call 624-8519 and arrange for a free inspection.

“There’s concern that there might be other wiring jobs that the board wants to know about,” said Dunbar.

Shores became a master electrician in 2002. His license was first suspended in 2009 for violations during an installation at a Belgrade residence. In 2011, he was found to have done work while his license was suspended and had not paid the 2009 fine.

His most recent violation was found on Feb. 18, 2014. State electrical inspector Kern Butler was called to 195 B Norridgewock Road in Fairfield after the town code enforcement officer reported a problem with Shores’ work.

The work on the unit, which was being outfitted as a marijuana growing business, had been done without proper permits, according to the board’s written findings.

The board wrote that the work was “haphazard, messy and dangerous.”

Dunbar said Shore’s license is suspended indefinitely.

Kaitlin Schroeder — 861-9252

kschroeder@centralmaine.com

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