California Attorney General Rob Bonta says his office is keeping his promise as the three-price gougers face accusations of “utilising” victims of a Los Angeles wildfire .
Appearing on KTLA Morning News on Friday, Bonta said his office has received many reports of illegal price gouging.
California law prohibits rent increases during emergency declarations from 10% or more. Los Angeles County has been in an emergency since January 8th.
The Pallisard and Eton fires collectively burned nearly 40,000 acres last month, destroying thousands of structures. With a large number of people losing their homes in the Palisade, Malibu and Altadena regions of the Pacific, Bonta and other state officials have made it a priority to prevent further stakes in the LA housing crisis.
“It’s very important for us to wrap our arms around victims to support them and help them rebuild and heal,” Bonta told KTLA. “And we’ll make sure they’re not exploited and victimized again.”
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He said as of Friday, three people have been officially accused by his office of increasing rent by more than 10% in LA County since the fire exploded.
In one case announced by his office Tuesday, the landlord raised the Hermosa Beach home by 36% after the Eaton Fire victim tried to rent it. If convicted, the landlord could face a fine of up to $10,000 and a potential prison for 12 months.
“The incident is moving,” Bonta said Friday. “We charged them, we brought them, we announced them.”
In addition to the formal charges, the Department of Justice has sent over 700 warning letters to hotels and landlords accused of price gouging. More research is ongoing that could lead to fees.
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