Irvine man sentenced for contractor fraud

An Irvine man was sentenced to more than six months in jail after his appearance on the reality TV show “Catch a Contractor” led to his second conviction for soliciting home improvement work without a state license.

Myron Elliott Barker, 66, pleaded guilty to the charges Wednesday. He was sentenced to 190 days behind bars, plus three years probation, and ordered to pay $10,000 in restitution. Barker was convicted for a similar offense in 2009.

According to the court, Barker posed as a professional contractor and took thousands of dollars from the owners of an Irvine home for kitchen remodeling in the summer of 2013. Prosecutors say he performed substandard and unpermitted work before abandoning the job.

The victims reported Barker to the Contractor’s State Licensing Board, then got in touch with the producers of “Catch a Contractor.” While the case was being investigated, the homeowners were featured on the Spike TV show, and Barker was shown being confronted for not having a license and for performing substandard work.

Host Adam Carolla, a master carpenter in addition to a media personality, offered to help Barker return to the job site, correct mistakes with a licensed contractor and resolve the matter. Barker agreed, accepted a fee from the show, left during taping and then abandoned the job again.

The show aired in the spring of 2014. Prosecutors say Barker did not return any of the construction money or the fee paid to him by the television show.

—Matt Morrison