SAN DIEGO (Press Release) — District Attorney Bonnie M. Dumanis, San Diego City Attorney Jan Goldsmith and State Attorney General Kamala D. Harris announced Wednesday that retail giant, Walmart, was ordered to pay $2.1 million for overcharging customers and for violating a previous 2008 judgment.
“Our Consumer Unit worked closely with the City Attorney and California Attorney General to hold Walmart accountable and protect the consumer,” DA Dumanis said. “Law enforcement has a duty to make sure businesses follow the law, compete fairly in the marketplace, and charge the prices they advertise.”
San Diego Superior Court Judge Jeffrey B. Barton signed the modified judgment today, which increased the judgment of $1.4 million in 2008 to an additional $2.1 million.
“Our Consumer & Environmental Protection Unit monitors compliance and is the watchdog for the benefit of the citizens of San Diego,” City Attorney Jan Goldsmith said. “Businesses are advised not to overcharge the consumer and to comply with all court orders.”
In 2008, Walmart was ordered to implement measures to ensure that consumers would be charged the currently-advertised price at the time of checkout. They also were ordered to implement and maintain a “Get it Free” program in their California stores for four years whereby a consumer who was overcharged at checkout would receive the item for free. Or, if the lowest advertised price was more than $3, the consumer would receive the lowest advertised price less $3. In addition, Walmart was required to post a sign at every check-out stand informing consumers of this program.
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Preceding provided by District Attorney Bonnie Dumanis