Tommy Spinosa’s construction company, Echelon Construction Services, is no longer licensed to work in Louisiana. The Louisiana State Licensing Board for Contractors revoked Echelon’s commercial and residential licenses earlier this fall, after the company voluntarily surrendered them following a hearing before the board giving it a month to settle two unpaid judgments. The 19th Judicial District Court had awarded those judgments in May to subcontractors that did work on Perkins Rowe.
According to documents provided by the licensing board, an administrative hearing was held Aug. 20 after Firestop International and Gypsum Subfloors filed complaints. The firms were awarded judgments for $71,396, and $129,535, respectively, for work done on Perkins Rowe. The board voted unanimously to give Echelon 30 days to settle the judgments or lose its licenses. On the 29th day, Echelon voluntarily surrendered the licenses, at which time they were officially revoked. That means the company can’t bid or enter into any contracts of $50,000 or more for commercial projects, and $75,000 or more for residential projects.
Spinosa’s attorney, Brian McCullough, says in a written statement that the board did not revoke the licenses for nonpayment of judgments, though a spokesperson for the board says that is not accurate. McCullough also says the judgments have since been settled, but that because of current economic conditions Spinosa has chosen to restructure his companies to focus on real-estate developments, such as Rouzan, and de-emphasize Echelon for the time being.—Stephanie Riegel
