State and local prosecutors continue to file new price gouging charges against people accused of raising rents above legal limits in the aftermath of last month’s historically destructive fires in Los Angeles County.
On Tuesday, California Attorney General Rob Bonta announced a new criminal case against a landlord and a real estate agent for allegedly raising the rent on a Hermosa Beach home by 36% after the outbreak of the Palisades and Eaton fires.
The charges were filed Friday in L.A. County Superior Court against landlord Edward Kushins and agent Willie Baronet-Israel.
Increasing rent by more than 10% above pre-fire rates violates California’s law against price gouging in the wake of a declared state of emergency. Gov. Gavin Newsom issued that declaration shortly after last month’s fires suddenly thrust thousands of Angelenos into an expensive, highly competitive market for rental housing.
“The California Department of Justice remains focused on putting a stop to price gouging,” Bonta said in a news release. “DOJ will continue relentlessly pursuing those who are trying to capitalize off of the chaos and pain of Southern California’s natural disaster.”
How the defendants are responding
LAist asked both defendants for comment on the charges.
Vacation property executives face charges for alleged post-fire price gouging in Hermosa Beach
Ed Robinson, who identified himself as Kushins’ attorney in a phone call, told LAist, “He did not intend to price gouge.” Robinson said Kushins would have no further comment at this time.
Kushins is the CEO of Vacation Property Partners, a company described…
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