South Raleigh News

Attorney General Josh Stein has secured a preliminary injunction against an individual accused of price gouging following Hurricane Helene. The lawsuit, filed by Stein, claims that a couple in Hendersonville engaged the services of the defendant through HomeAdvisor.com after two trees fell on their roof during the hurricane.

According to the lawsuit, the defendant demanded $25,500 upfront for tree removal services. Despite this significant charge, he only brought minimal equipment and workforce—three men, three chainsaws, and a leaf blower. Instead of effectively removing the trees and debris from the property, workers allegedly exacerbated damage by dropping limbs through a hole in the roof into the house and damaging a retaining wall. The incomplete work forced the couple to hire additional contractors to finish removing debris.

Attorney General Stein has been active in enforcing North Carolina’s price gouging laws since 2018. His efforts have led to 13 lawsuits against 30 defendants under these statutes. So far, he has achieved 14 judgments or settlements amounting to $1,080,000 against 25 defendants. Notably, this includes a record $274,000 settlement.

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