CONCORD – New Hampshire Attorney General John M. Formella announces that Einar Barenholtz, 40, of Wilton, pleaded guilty and was sentenced on July 28 in the Hillsborough County Superior Court – Northern District on one class A misdemeanor count of Accomplice to Unlicensed Electrical Installations.

Between September 13 and October 18, 2018, Barenholtz, through his company Manifest Builders, served as general contractor on a home renovation project in Peterborough, NH. Barenholtz purposely subcontracted an unlicensed electrician to make electrical installations at the residence, including installing electrical conductors, fittings, devices, and fixtures for heating, lighting, or power purposes in that house and the adjacent barn.

The Superior Court sentenced Barenholtz to 6 months in the House of Corrections, all of which was suspended for a period of 2 years, and a $2,000 fine, of which $1,500 was suspended for a period of 2 years. The sentence is conditioned on Barenholtz not engaging, using, employing hiring, or supervising any unlicensed worker, laborer, contractor, or subcontractor, whether independent or otherwise, who is otherwise required to be licensed by any state or federal entity to perform the work or task that that worker is performing. Further, Barenholtz may not engage in any trade or commerce as a contractor, either general or sub, without obtaining the proper permits as required by the federal, state, or municipal governments for that trade or commerce. Barenhotlz must complete 40 hours of community service and is prohibited from having contact with the homeowners.

This case was prosecuted by Assistant Attorney General John Garrigan of the Consumer Protection and Antitrust Bureau. This case was investigated by Investigator Frederick Lulka of the Consumer Protection and Antitrust Bureau, State Electrical Inspector Denis Laurendeau of the New Hampshire Office of Professional Licensure and Certification, and the Peterborough Police Department.

Consumers with consumer-related complaints or concerns can call the Attorney General’s Consumer Information Line at 1-888-468-4454 or file a complaint online at doj.nh.gov/consumer/complaints.

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