Attorney General Karl A. Racine announced today that the Office of the Attorney General sent five cease-and-desist letters to District-area convenience stores, a beauty supply store, and an online seller for credible allegations of price gouging. In response to complaints from District residents, OAG investigators discovered that the local stores had raised prices on disinfecting products and other goods that District residents need to safeguard their health during the COVID-19 pandemic. OAG also found an Amazon online seller based in the District had exorbitantly raised prices on hand sanitizing products.  The District’s price gouging consumer protection law goes into effect when the Mayor declares a state of emergency, which occurred on March 11. The law prohibits individuals or businesses from charging higher than the normal average retail price for goods and services.