Unlicensed Contractor Enters Guilty Plea in Collier County Fraud Case

An unlicensed contractor operating in Southwest Florida changed course this week by entering a guilty plea in a fraud case that shook the local contracting community.

27-year-old Marian Kola admitted guilt on a charge of fraudulent use of personal identification information valued between $5,000 and $50,000. The plea was accepted in the 20th Judicial Circuit in Collier County by Joseph Foster, a circuit judge.

Case specifics:

• Kola had been operating as a contractor without the required state or county license, which triggered formal legal action.

• The charge concerns misuse of someone else’s identity in relation to contracting work (or contracting-related documentation) that falls into the mid-fraud range ($5K–$50K).

• Although the plea occurred on October 23, 2025, the sentencing Date noted in the article occurred earlier as part of reassignment of guilt adjudication, reflecting a procedural timeline for sentencing.

• As part of the plea, Kola received three years in prison, with credit for time already served.

Why this matters for Naples-area contracting and consumers:

• Operating without the required licensing places both contractors and homeowners at risk. Licensed contractors are required to meet bonding, insurance and regulatory standards; unlicensed work bypasses those protections.

• Fraud involving personal identification manifests in ways that can trick consumers into trusting a business that lacks transparency, licensure verification or consumer protection safeguards.

• For local homeowners or investors outsourcing renovation or construction work, the case serves as a flag to verify credentials: check that the contractor holds the correct license for the type of work, is in good standing with the contractor-licensing board, and has proof of insurance.

• From a business-community angle: legitimate contractors adhere to licensing rules, so when someone undercuts the standard by skipping licensure, it undermines trust and fair competition in the sector.

What to Watch Next:

• The licensing status of Kola will be formally revoked or denied moving forward; the case sets a precedent for stricter enforcement of licensure in Collier County.

• Consumer-protection advocates may use this case to bring attention to “fly-by-night” contracting operations—especially in the Naples-Marco Island area where high-value renovation projects are common.

• Monitoring upcoming sentencing or restitution details will reveal how law enforcement and the court are structuring consequences for unlicensed contracting fraud in this region.