The Los Angeles City Attorney’s Office has charged two men with fire-related curfew violations and is asking the public for help identifying potential price gougers.
Sitiati. Heidi Feldstein Soto accused two men in their mid-40s of violating the 6 p.m. to 6 a.m. curfew established on Jan. 9 in the wake of the devastating Eaton and Palisades fires. They are prosecuting people.
The curfew was enacted after at least 20 people were arrested on suspicion of looting shortly after the Jan. 7 fire.
The curfew was limited to fire “evacuation order” and “evacuation warning” areas within Los Angeles, Santa Monica, Malibu, and unincorporated areas of Los Angeles County.
“This curfew is in place to protect public safety, prevent looting and robbery, and allow first responders to continue their hard work protecting our city and its residents,” Feldstein said.・Mr. Soto said in a statement. “My office will hold accountable those who violate this order.”
According to the indictment, both suspects were in a confined space in Pacific Palisades at 4:30 a.m. Saturday in violation of a curfew.
Each was charged with a misdemeanor, punishable by a fine of up to $1,000 and six months in prison. Both men pleaded not guilty Tuesday and are scheduled to reappear in court for pretrial sentencing in late February.
Feldstein-Soto said the public’s cooperation is also needed to crack down on price gouging, and urged anyone with information to contact att.pricegougingtaskforce@lacity.org.
Price gouging, as defined by city attorneys, is an increase of 10% or more in the price of goods and services, including necessities such as housing, housing, food, water, clothing, health and pet care.
Feldstein-Soto said the county’s declaration of a state of emergency on Jan. 7 made such actions illegal.
Price gouging violations are punishable by up to one year in prison and up to $10,000 in fines. Violations are subject to civil enforcement actions, including civil penalties, injunctive relief, and mandatory restitution up to $2,500 per violation.
“I am committed to leveraging every resource at our disposal to help Los Angeles heal, recover, and rebuild. This is what we have always done as Angelenos,” she said. said.
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