Price increase in NC | Josh Stein, N.C. Attorney General’s Office files lawsuit against business owner accused of price gouging during Post-Hellene

On November 1, 2024By Karl

HENDERSONVILLE, N.C. (WTVD) — Attorney General Josh Stein He is suing a business owner accused of price gouging in the wake of Hurricane Helene.

Lorenzo Huggins, Sr. and its businesses, including Huggins & Sons Yard Service and Lorenzo & Son Landscaping for alleged price gouging in North Carolina for tree removal services.

The lawsuit said Huggins charged a Hendersonville couple $25,000 to remove two trees that had fallen on their roof and was unable to complete the job.

According to the lawsuit, instead of removing trees and tree debris from the house and garden, workers threw tree branches and debris into the house through the hole in the roof, causing the tree to fall on the wall.

The couple had to hire and pay additional contractors because Huggins did not complete the tree removal and cleanup job.

Stein and his department are suing a timeshare company they say spammed more than 1 million North Carolinians.

“As Western North Carolina hurricane cleanup and rebuilding continues, I want price gougers to beware,” Stein said in a news release. “If you take advantage of people in their time of need and charge them unfair, excessive prices, my office will hold you accountable.”

Stein has filed 13 lawsuits against 30 defendants in North Carolina since 2018. price gouging law. Obtained 14 verdicts or settlements totaling $1,080,000 from 25 defendants, including a $274,000 settlement that was the largest price gouging settlement in the department’s history.