SACRAMENTO – Two people have been arrested on felony charges of helping people cheat on state licensing exams following an investigation by the Department of Consumer Affairs’ Division of Investigation.
Larry Charles Holmes, Jr. and Persilla Marie Ulloa were arrested in January in southern California following an investigation into their business, ACEAPP Training. Investigators determined the two illegally obtained exam material for 12 different state-administered exams.
The investigation began at the request of the Structural Pest Control Board, whose staff noticed certain irregularities. It quickly expanded to other state licensing entities, including the Department of Pesticide Regulation, the Department of Public Health, the Department of Industrial Relations, the California Secretary of State and other departments.
“Exam subversion is a serious matter,” said Susan Saylor, the Executive Officer of the Structural Pest Control Board, who originally requested the investigation. “Licensure examinations are developed to protect consumers by ensuring applicants meet an acceptable level of competency.”
Both Holmes and Ulloa face 24 felony charges in Los Angeles County Superior Court. Both are free on $240,000 bail. Holmes was arraigned on February 11th and Ulloa on February 14th.
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The Department of Consumer Affairs promotes and protects the interests of California Consumers. Consumers can file complaints against licensees by contacting the Department of Consumer Affairs at (800) 952-5210. Consumers can also file a complaint online at www.dca.ca.gov.
