Enforcement Actions - L
Using the first letter of the individual’s last name, select the letter group below that corresponds. This will display enforcement actions for the corresponding letter group.
Each page of the Enforcement Actions section is divided into subsections for citations, administrative actions, and convictions. You should check each subsection to see if an enforcement action has been taken against the individual you are seeking.
Citations
Bosco Lai
Oakland—The Board issued a one-count citation that included a $2,000 administrative fine to Bosco Lai, an unlicensed individual, for alleged violations of BPC 5536(a) (Practice Without License or Holding Self Out as Architect) and CCR 134(a) (Use of the Term Architect). The action alleged that Lai provided a client a business card for his company, Eastbay Holding, Inc., and the business card contained the word "Architectural" as a description of the services he provides. Lai’s company, Eastbay Holding, Inc., invoiced his client for an "Architectural & Structural as build drawing" for a project located in Vallejo, California. Lai submitted plans for the project to the Solano County Building Division for permit. The title block on the plans for the project contained Lai’s business name, Eastcave Architect & Engineering. Lai is listed on the website linkedin.com under the category "Architecture & Planning." Lai’s company, Eastcave Architectural & Engineering profile was listed on the website facebook.com and included the term "Architectural" as a description of the services his company provides. Board records reflect there is not a Business Entity Report Form on file by a licensee as required by BPC 5558 for said companies indicating that there is a licensed architect in management control of professional services of the kind offered and provided by Lai’s companies, Eastcave Architect & Engineering and Eastcave Architectural & Engineering. The citation became final on May 5, 2015.
Jack Martin Lanphere, III
Beaumont—The Board issued a two-count citation that included a $5,000 administrative fine to Jack Martin Lanphere III, dba L&S Architects, Inc., an unlicensed individual, for alleged violations of BPC section 5536(a) (Practice Without License or Holding Self Out as Architect) and CCR, title 16, section 134(a) (Use of the Term Architect). The action alleged that multiple online profiles for the company, L&S Architects, Inc., unlawfully advertised architectural services and such advertising and devices might indicate to the public that Lanphere is an architect or qualified to engage in the practice of architecture. The action also alleged that Lanphere unlawfully used the term "architect" in the business name, L&S Architects, Inc., because Lanphere is not an architect in management control of the professional services offered and provided by the business. Lanphere paid the fine, satisfying the citation. The citation became final on July 11, 2019.
Steven M. Lawler
Walnut Creek—The Board issued a three-count citation that included a $2,500 administrative fine to Steven M. Lawler, architect license number C 29399, for alleged violations of BPC sections 5586 (Discipline by Public Agency), 5579 (Fraud in Obtaining License), and 5584 (Willful Misconduct) as defined in California Code of Regulations (CCR), title 16, section 160(b)(2) (Failure to Respond to Board Investigation). The action alleged that Lawler was disciplined by the Florida State Board of Architecture and Interior Design on May 30, 2017, and again on February 19, 2019, for failure to complete continuing education requirements. The action further alleged that Lawler failed to respond to the California Board’s requests for information regarding its investigation. The action also alleged that Lawler represented on his October 10, 2018 California license renewal application that he had not been disciplined by a public agency during the preceding two-year renewal period. Lawler paid the fine, satisfying the citation. The citation became final on October 28, 2019.
Charles Andrew Sang-Ho Lee
Oakland—The Board issued a one-count citation that included a $500 administrative fine to Charles Andrew Sang-Ho Lee, architect license number C-35189, for an alleged violation of BPC 5600.05(a)(1) (License Renewal Process; Audit; False or Misleading Information on Coursework on Disability Access Requirements). The action alleged that Lee certified false or misleading information on his 2015 License Renewal Application. Lee paid the fine, satisfying the citation. The citation became final on May 27, 2016.
Eric Lee
Los Angeles—The Board issued a one-count citation
that included a
$1,500 administrative fine to Eric Lee, dba Kahn Design & Development, an unlicensed individual,
for alleged violations of BPC section 5536(a)
(Practice Without License or Holding Self Out as Architect) and CCR, title 16, section 134(a) (Use of
the Term Architect; Responsible Control
within Business Entity). The action alleged that Lee and his company Kahn Design & Development
provided a "Work Authorization
Agreement" to clients for a single-family residential project located in Los Angeles. The
services offered in the agreement included architectural design and drawing, architectural & structure design review process, prepare
architectural and consultation documents with
calculations and drawings, and city & permit process of the architectural design review
and
included hourly rates provided by the
"Principal Architect" and "Project Architect." On or about December 6, 2017, the
client provided Lee with a check in the
amount of $3,000 as a retainer fee at the time of the contract for the existing house reinforce
drawing and permit processing,
which
included architectural design and drawings. Additionally, Lee used the business name "Kahn Design
& Development," which included the
term "architectural" in its description of services, without having an architect who was in
management control of the services that were
offered and provided by the business entity and either the owner, a part-owner, an officer, or an
employee of the business entity. The citation
became final on February 14, 2019.
Jiyoung Lee
Emeryville—The Board issued a one-count citation that included a $500 administrative fine to Jiyoung Lee, architect license number C-37828, for an alleged violation of Business and Professions Code section 5600.05(a)(1) (License Renewal Process; Conditions; Certifications; Audit; False or Misleading Information; Disciplinary Action; Coursework Regarding Disability Access, and Zero Net Carbon Design Requirements; Submission of Letter to Legislature). The action alleged that Lee certified false or misleading information on his 2023 License Renewal Application. Lee paid the fine, satisfying the citation. The citation became final on June 28, 2024.
John Man Kong Lee
Temple City—The Board issued a one-count citation that included a $2,500 administrative fine to John Man Kong Lee, dba JLCC Construction and JLCC Design and Construction, an unlicensed individual, for an alleged violation of BPC 5536(b) (Practice Without License or Holding Self Out as Architect). The action alleged that on or about February 28, 2015, Lee prepared drawings for a residential project located in Los Angeles, California. Lee affixed a stamp to the drawings, which read: "REGISTERED PROFESSIONAL ARCHITECT," "John M Lee," "34188," "EXP. DATE 6-30-2016" and the legend "STATE OF CALIFORNIA." License number 34188 belongs to California licensed architect Myung-Jong Lee. Furthermore, on or about May 14, 2015, Lee’s company, JLCC Construction, submitted an Application for Building Permit and Certificate of Occupancy and an Application for Grading Permit and Grading Certificate to the City of Los Angeles, Department of Building and Safety for the project. On the Applications, Lee used California licensed architect Myung-Jong Lee’s name, address, license number, and Lee’s telephone number without the architect’s knowledge or consent. Lee paid the fine, satisfying the citation. The citation became final on October 4, 2016.
Kaiman Lee
Burlingame—The Board issued a one-count citation that included a $500 administrative fine to Kaiman Lee, architect license number C-21392, for an alleged violation of BPC section 5600.05(a)(1) (License Renewal Process; Audit; False or Misleading Information on Coursework on Disability Access Requirements). The action alleged that Lee certified false or misleading information on his 2017 License Renewal Application. Lee paid the fine, satisfying the citation. The citation became final on June 8, 2018.
Tachen Lee
Irvine—The Board issued a one-count citation that included a $500 administrative fine to Tachen Lee, architect license number C-29310, for an alleged violation of BPC section 5600.05(b) (License Renewal Process; Audit; False or Misleading Information on Coursework on Disability Access Requirements). The action alleged that Lee failed to maintain records of completion of the required coursework for two years from the date of license renewal and failed to make those records available to the Board for auditing upon request. Lee paid the fine, satisfying the citation. The citation became final on June 28, 2018.
Geo Lefranc
Hawthorne—The Board issued a one-count citation that included a $1,500 administrative fine to Geo Lefranc, an unlicensed individual, doing business as LeFranc Design, for alleged violations of Business and Professions Code section 5536(a).
The action alleged that LeFranc’s company Facebook profile identified him as an “Architectural Designer” and offered “Architectural and Solar Design.” LeFranc’s company website offered “Architecture” and stated he would “Generate architectural drawings quickly and efficiently…GOALS increase my Architectural knowledge, perform well, gain trust and develop a long-term relationship that promotes mutual growth and prosperity...” LeFranc’s company Houzz profile was categorized under “Architects” and offered “architecture design and plans services.” LeFranc’s title block offered “Architectural CAD Permit Services.” LeFranc’s company The Builder Market profile was categorized under “Architects.” LeFranc’s company Angi profile offered “Architects.”
LeFranc’s website and profiles (Angi, Facebook, Houzz, and The Builder Market), wherein he described his services as “Architecture” and “Architectural” and offered “Architects,” are devices that might indicate to the public that LeFranc is an architect or qualified to engage in the practice of architecture in California. Such conduct constitutes violations of Business and Professions Code section 5536(a). LeFranc was served with notice of the violations but did not respond to multiple requests to make corrections. The citation became final on July 22, 2022.
Blair Liggatt
Laguna Beach—The Board issued a one-count citation, including an administrative fine in the amount of $2,000 to Blair Liggatt, an unlicensed person, dba Blair Design Group, for alleged violations of Business and Professions Code section 5536(a) (Misrepresentation; Practice Without License or Holding Self Out as Architect).
On or about October 28, 2022, Liggatt signed a contract with Mr. A.Z. (client) to provide design and consultation for a new 3,000 square foot single-family residence located in San Clemente, California. The total cost of the contract was a fixed fee of $5,000. Liggatt was paid over $21,000 but the plans were never approved by the City of San Clemente. Liggatt told his clients that he was an architect and listed himself as the “ARCHITECT/DESIGNER” on the construction plans.
On or about October 27, 2023, the Board received a second complaint against Liggatt. On or about June 27, 2022, Liggatt was hired by Mr. T.B. and Ms. D.N. (clients) to provide design and consultation services for a new residence including a garage, guest house, pool house, and fitness building in Anaheim, California for a total fee of $83,000. The proposal included “ARCHITECTURE.” Liggatt was paid over $30,000 but the plans were never submitted to the City of Anaheim.
Liggatt’s company Houzz and Thumbtack profiles were categorized under “Architects” and offered “Architectural” and “Architecture” design services.
On April 13, 2023, Liggatt had previously been issued a citation in the amount of $1,000 for violations of California Business and Professions Code section 5536(a) and was formally advised that an unlicensed individual or firm in California cannot use any term confusingly similar to architect or architectural to describe services offered.
Liggatt’s proposal, plans, and online profiles, wherein he used the title of “Architect” and described his services as “Architectural” and “Architecture,” are devices that might indicate to the public that he is an architect or qualified to engage in the practice of architecture in California. Such conduct constitutes violations of Business and Professions Code section 5536(a). The citation became final on May 25, 2024.