LITTLE ROCK – Attorney General Leslie Rutledge announced today that price gouging laws are in full effect, which will bring criminal charges to those who make a profit of above ten percent for items of necessity during the COVID-19 pandemic.
“With this situation comes bad actors. When the Governor announced a state of emergency, that triggered the state’s price gouging law,” “This applies to an individual or a business,” Rutledge said. “Many times, we see this through our retailers through a small store or pharmacy, but it applies to individuals on Facebook marketplace, or individuals using something such as Amazon or an online platform.”
Rutledge did not name the business but said a Western Arkansas pharmacy had been reported to her office for selling $4.00 cases of water for double the price.
“The price gouging law limits price increases to ten percent above the price immediately before the emergency was declared.” Rutledge said. “That is well above the price gouging laws, and they will be receiving a lot of contact from our office.”
The Attorney General said hospitals are also running into price gouging problems in buying supplies like face masks and gowns.
“We will be holding the sellers responsible for price gouging.” Rutledge said. “The penalty is high, as it should be because you are taking advantage of Arkansans in an emergency situation.”
A business or individual is subject to a $10,000 fine for each item sold for an inflated price that is found in violation of the law.
Those who wish to file a complaint can visit Rutledge’s office on all forms of social media, at arkansasag.gov, or call her office at (800) 482-8982.
