CSLB: Two Brothers Behind a Tiny Homes Company Face 35 Felony Counts After More Than 200 Complaints Across California
The California Contractors State License Board (CSLB) announced on October 20 that Colton Paulhus and Austin Paulhus, the two brothers behind the defunct company Anchored Tiny Homes, have been charged with 35 felony counts: each faces 33 counts of diversion of construction funds, one count of conspiracy and one count of employee wage theft. CSLB investigated more than 200 consumer complaints across 18 California counties alleging abandoned accessory dwelling unit (ADU) projects, unpaid subcontractors, payments taken in advance of work performed or never performed, and homeowners' money not being used on their own projects. CSLB previously filed an accusation with the California Attorney General's Office seeking revocation of the company's contractor license, which was revoked in November 2024; the board then kept investigating complaints and, working with the Sacramento County District Attorney's Office, referred cases for criminal charges. A settlement conference is scheduled for January 12, 2027. CSLB reminds homeowners that a home-improvement down payment may not exceed $1,000 or 10 percent of the project price, whichever is less, and progress payments may not exceed the value of work performed or materials delivered.
Published by GSM · USA (original Chinese edition)
Photo: 图为微型住宅（tiny house）资料图。Paul VanDerWerf 摄，CC BY 2.0（Wikimedia Commons）。 / A tiny house (file photo). Photo by Paul VanDerWerf, CC BY 2.0 (Wikimedia Commons).
