Plea Deal Reached In Alameda County's First Price Gouging Case

Castro Valley CA

20 April, 2021

11:02 AM

Description

PLEASANTON, CA — A Pleasanton grocery store on Monday admitted to price gouging customers during the pandemic, prosecutors announced. These were the first price gouging charges ever brought in Alameda County, prosecutors said last year. Apna Bazar pleaded guilty to two counts of price gouging after investigators determined that the store raised prices for items such as instant noodles, tea, yellow onions and red yams between 60 percent and 400 percent after the state declared an emergency because of the coronavirus pandemic on March 4, according to the Alameda County District Attorney's Office. California law prohibits businesses from raising the prices of various critical goods by more than 10 percent after an emergency is declared. Apna Bazar must donate $20,000 to the Alameda County Community Food Bank, pay a $240 fine for restitution and spend a year under probation, according to a plea agreement. Apna Bazar could have its probation time waived if the donation, fines and fees are paid in full. Rajvinder P. Singh, owner of the grocery store at 4040 Pimlico Drive, did not return Patch's request for comment. County and state prosecutors initially filed nine price gouging charges each against the business and Singh in May, prosecutors said. All charges against Singh and seven against Apna Bazar were dropped as part of a plea agreement signed April 6. Each price gouging charge could have meant up to a year in county jail and a $10,000 fine, according to the plea agreement. The investigation first began after state and county prosecutors received multiple price gouging complaints involving Apna Bazar in the early days of the pandemic, prosecutors said. "My office is committed to ensuring that businesses adhere to the law and do not exploit consumers," Alameda County District Attorney Nancy O'Malley said in a statement. Apna Bazar's donation to the food bank will provide thousands of meals to residents, said Suzan Bateson, executive director of the nonprofit. The district attorney's office reminded the public that anyone who believes they have information about price gouging should contact [email protected].