California AG Rob Bonta investigates wildfire price gouging. He also has a warning for Trump

Andrew Sheeler, The Sacramento Bee on Jan 16, 2025

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California Attorney General Rob Bonta on Thursday announced his office has opened investigations into reports of price-gouging in the Southern California areas ravaged by devastating wildfires.

“We have boots on the ground conducting investigations as we speak,” he said in a Thursday press conference.

Bonta said that while there is increased demand, particularly for housing, due to the fires, landlords, hotels and vacation rental operators are prevented from raising their prices more than 10% of what they were before the emergency was declared.

“Demand be damned, you must follow the law,” Bonta said.

Price gouging is a misdemeanor criminal offense, punishable by up to a year in jail and a $10,000 fine per violation.

Bonta clarified that while the emergency order for price gouging is centered on Southern California, primarily Los Angeles County, the law applies across the state; if someone from Los Angeles County seeks housing in Santa Barbara County, for example, Bonta said the law is still in effect.

He also warned businesses that use an algorithm to set prices that that is not an excuse to price-gouge. Bonta said they should consider temporarily disabling the algorithm while the emergency is ongoing.

Bonta also warned that he would prosecute predatory land-buyers, scammers and fake charities and looters.

Bonta urged the public to report suspected price gougers by calling 800-952-5225 or visiting the website oag.ca.gov/LAFires.

The attorney general, a Democrat who is said to be weighing a run for governor in 2026, also addressed questions about President-elect Donald Trump during his Thursday press conference. Trump is set to to take office Monday.

“Under Trump 1.0, the president had a proclivity to break the law consistently and regularly. He wanted to do what he wanted, when he wanted, how he wanted,” Bonta said.

Under “Trump 2.0,” as Bonta called it, Trump might attempt to use the military or National Guard to carry out mass deportations, end birthright citizenship through an illegal executive order, attempt to criminalize abortion pills or de-criminalize ghost guns or go after Diversity, Equity and Inclusion efforts or the LGBTQ community, the attorney general said.

Bonta said his “north star” is the rule of law.

“If (Trump) follows the law, is a law-abiding president, which shouldn’t be too much to ask, we will have absolutely nothing to do. If he violates the Constitution, exceeds his jurisdiction, otherwise violates federal law ..., we will have a lot to do,” he said.

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