Hand sanitizer for $75. Face masks for $10 apiece — if not more.
Those are a couple of examples of alleged price-gouging that Davis Enterprise readers say they’ve encountered around town as the coronavirus crisis continues.
Violations should be reported to the Yolo County District Attorney’s Office, which announced last month it would “diligently investigate and prosecute” the grossly inflated pricings of consumer goods or medical supplies.
To file a report, fill out an online complaint at www.yoloda.org or call 530-666-8180.
The DA’s announcement came in response to Gov. Gavin Newsom’s March 11 state of emergency proclamation with price-gouging protections that are in effect through Sept. 4.
California’s anti-price gouging statute, Penal Code Section 396, prohibits raising the price of many consumer goods and services by more than 10 percent after an emergency has been declared.
The law applies to any person or business selling goods or services including consumer goods, food and drink items, emergency supplies, medical supplies, storage facilities, emergency cleanup materials and transportation.
Violations are subject to criminal prosecution that can result in one-year imprisonment in county jail and/or a fine of up to $10,000. Violators are also subject to civil enforcement actions including civil penalties of up to $5,000 per violation, injunctive relief and mandatory restitution.