Home » California attorney general charges L.A.-area landlord with price gouging in wake of wildfires – Jobsmaa.com

California attorney general charges L.A.-area landlord with price gouging in wake of wildfires – Jobsmaa.com

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A real estate agent in La Cañada Flintridge is facing criminal charges for raising the price of his rental property by 38% after the devastating wildfires in Los Angeles, California Atty. Gen. Rob Bonda said Wednesday.

“Let this announcement serve as a stern warning to those who seek to further victimize those who have lost everything,” Bonda said in his statement. “The DOJ aggressively and relentlessly pursues those who try to make quick money of someone else's pain.”

A couple who lost their home in the Eaton fire tried to rent a house in La Cañada Flintridge from real estate agent Mike Copici, a judicial investigation has revealed. But after the application was received, the couple were told the price had risen by 38%, the investigation found. The couple decided not to rent out the house because of the increase.

California law prohibits increases in prices for rental properties and other essential goods and services by more than 10% following a natural disaster. The rules will remain in effect until March 8 unless extended by Gov. Gavin Newsom.

Kopic could not immediately be reached for comment. On his website, Copici describes himself as one of the best real estate agents in La Cañada Flintridge with over 25 years of experience. His company has sold homes in the community for $11 million, the site says.

The charges, filed Tuesday in Los Angeles County Superior Court, are the first charges of price gouging related to the historic Jan. 7 fires. Violation will result in criminal prosecution, up to one year in county jail and a fine of up to $10,000. Civil penalties include fines of up to $2,500 per violation.

With more than 11,000 homes destroyed in the Eaton and Palisades fires, families piled into LA's already tight rental market overnight. There were widespread reports of price hikes Times reporters identify examples The number of listings has increased by 60% or more Activist groups scoured Zillow and other sites To identify hundreds of potential incidents and register complaints with the authorities.

Bonda enlisted his teams of lawyers across the state to evaluate the submissions and issued several statements condemning the price hike. Los Angeles County Dist. Atty. Nathan Hochman and other local elected officials have echoed the calls.

Bonda said he had sent more than 500 warning letters to landlords and hoteliers accused of price gouging, and that criminal investigations were ongoing in his office.

“As I have said time and time again, price gouging has to stop,” Ponta said. “Today, we're making good on our promise to hold consumers accountable for more and more to come.”

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