Eight southwest Florida contractors were arrested this week as part of a sting operation targeting employers who don't carry workers' compensation insurance.

The Bradenton Herald newspaper reported that the Manatee County Sheriff's Office and the state Department of Financial Services set up the sting by contacting contractors who had advertised their services online and in local publications.

After the men offered bids on the construction work, the investigators found that several did not carry comp insurance and were unlicensed.

Arrested were:

• Johnathan D. Soultatos, 33.
• Julio Carvalho, 62.
• Pavol Nosek, 59.
• James T. White, 60.
• Timothy D. Conner, 38.
• John Mongiello, 61.
• Charles N. Dichirico II, 33.
• Fredrick L. Hinesley Jr., 55.

The men face misdemeanor charges of unlicensed contracting and felony charges of failure to secure worker’s compensation.

“A lot of times, (homeowners) hire these people because it’s a little cheaper, but you’re rolling the dice,” Sheriff’s Office spokesman Dave Bristow said.