Builder accused of threatening client

A building contractor who had his license revoked last year for failing to disclose his criminal history or to pay judgments was fined $5,000 for new violations, according to an order made public last month by the Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry. Michael Sykes, of Nowthen in Anoka County, solicited business earlier this year, saying that he was "licensed and insured," even though his license had been revoked, the order said. A recent customer said Sykes threatened bodily harm to the customer's family and animals if the customer didn't pay promptly and when the customer made a list of outstanding work issues, the order said. Sykes denied making the threats.