(Woodland, CA) On December 17, 2021, Yolo County Superior Court Judge Samuel T. McAdam entered a judgment settling a case filed by the Yolo County District Attorney’s Office against Walmart for “price gouging” related to Walmart’s Great Value brand egg products.
On April 4, 2020, in response to the Covid-19 pandemic, Governor Gavin Newsom issued Executive Order N-44-20 which mandated that certain items, including eggs, be subject to rules related to “price gouging.” The order generally prohibits sellers of any kind from increasing prices on food, consumer goods, medical or emergency supplies, and certain other items by more than 10 percent. Shortly after the Governor’s Order, the Yolo County District Attorney’s Office received a consumer complaint regarding egg pricing at a Walmart location in Yolo County and the Consumer Fraud and Environmental Protection Division initiated an investigation. During the same time, Walmart’s corporate offices began their own investigation.
Walmart did not admit any wrongdoing, promptly corrected its pricing structure, and was cooperative throughout the investigation. As part of the settlement, Walmart agreed to pay a partial reimbursement for investigation costs and civil penalties totaling $70,798.00. Walmart also agreed to pay $10,200.00 to the Yolo County Food Bank to support its mission to advance the quality of life of vulnerable county residents by elevating food security.
District Attorney Jeff Reisig stated, “A thorough investigation by our Consumer Fraud and Environmental Protection Division into the underlying consumer complaint allowed for open communication with Walmart’s team. Our office is proud that communications with Walmart remained professional and constructive, that price discrepancies were corrected, and the Yolo Food Bank will have additional funds to support its mission.”
