Joint Regional Fire Crimes Task Force 

One week after the fires started, City Attorney Hydee Feldstein Soto joined local leaders to launch the Joint Regional Fire Crimes Task Force which is focused on prosecuting criminal actors seeking to exploit the crisis. These activities include looting, burglary and impersonation offenses, crimes related to arson, illegal drone operation, financial fraud targeting disaster victims and those wishing to make charitable donations, and price gouging. Other members of this task force include LA County DA Nathan Hochman, LAPD, the FBI, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Homeland Security Investigations, and the LA County Sheriff’s Department. The task force is leveraging resources, discussing case leads, sharing crime intelligence and facilitating prosecutions to protect those who have already lost so much.

“I am proud to stand with this powerful collaboration as we work together to ensure that no individual or business gets away with illegal or predatory conduct, including price gouging. People preying on others will face criminal justice,” said Hydee Feldstein Soto, Los Angeles City Attorney. 

The Los Angeles City Attorney’s Office is enforcing CA Penal Code section 396 - the “Anti-Gouging Law” - which is triggered automatically upon the declaration of a state of emergency during a natural disaster.

City Attorney Hydee Feldstein Soto announced that her office filed a civil enforcement action against global home rental giant Blueground US, Inc. Offering fully furnished housing for rent, Blueground allegedly increased the prices of its rentals by more than 10 percent and up to more than 50 percent above prices they advertised just days prior to the start of the fires.

Feldstein Soto’s lawsuit, filed for violations of the CA Unfair Competition Law, seeks a permanent injunction barring Blueground from charging more than 10 percent throughout the duration of the current state of emergency - including extensions, during future declarations of local emergencies, restitution to consumers who were charged illegal rent, and civil penalties.

“It is not only unconscionable for Blueground to take advantage of Angelenos when they are at their most vulnerable, it is illegal and must stop immediately. Our prosecutorial offices at the state, county, and local levels are united in this effort to fight price gouging and hold accountable individuals and businesses who prey on our residents during this unprecedented emergency,” said Hydee Feldstein Soto, Los Angeles City Attorney.

Feldstein Soto’s Office also charged a private homeowner and her real estate agent with price gouging of a tenant, for allegedly increasing the rent by 38%. Violations of the Anti-Price Gouging Law are criminal misdemeanors, and may be punished by imprisonment in a county jail for up to one year, and/or by a fine of not more than $10,000.

Additionally, her office has issued over 400 cease and desist letters to owners, landlords and property management companies based on reports of price gouging, and is currently reviewing more than 1,000 referrals.

If you are a victim of price gouging or aware that it is happening, please let us know. This form can be submitted anonymously. 

City Attorney Hydee Feldstein Soto announced that her office has filed criminal charges against defendants who allegedly violated the California Emergency Services Act in relation to the wildfire curfew, which was enacted on Thursday, Jan. 9, 2025, two days after the fires broke out. Defendants face fines of up to $1,000, imprisonment for up to six months, or both.

“This curfew order was enacted to protect public safety, prevent looting and burglaries, and enable our first responders to continue their herculean task of protecting our city and its residents. My office will hold accountable anyone who violates this order,” said Hydee Feldstein Soto, Los Angeles City Attorney. 

As part of the office-wide efforts to respond to the wildfires, members of the City Attorney’s team have been involved with a number of on the ground efforts to help impacted residents, working with local nonprofits and Council offices. The City Attorney’s Office has also had a presence at FEMA’s Disaster Recovery Center at UCLA Research Park. The Homeless Engagement and Response Team (“HEART”) has been there too, helping people who are unhoused or at-risk of being unhoused.

City Attorney Hydee Feldstein Soto joined the Association of Black City Attorneys in her office, community members, colleagues and friends for the rescheduled 40th annual Kingdom Day Parade. A longstanding tradition in Los Angeles, this parade celebrates the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr, and brought people together around this year’s theme, “Peace and Unity, Let it Start with Us.” 

To honor Dr. Martin Luther Jr. on MLK Day, City Attorney Hydee Feldstein Soto joined LA Works and hundreds of Angelenos for the “MLK 2025 Volunteer Festival.” LA Works’ dedication to empowering volunteers and prompting action in support of our community makes a difference in our city.    

Together with California Rising's “Mutual Aid network,” an incredible coalition of nonprofits, faith-based groups, small businesses, and community leaders, staff from the City Attorney’s Office helped deliver essential items to Big Sunday in order to help victims of the wildfires. 

City Attorney Hydee Feldstein Soto joined the Jewish Federation Los Angeles (JFEDLA) “Advocacy in Action Leadership Cohort”, along with Council President Pro Tempore Bob Blumenfield, to discuss a wide-range of issues, including the importance of civic engagement and of Jewish Leadership in Office.

City Attorney Hydee Feldstein Soto joined the Greater LA Realtors Association (“GLAR”) to help swear in their new Board Members and Executive Committee at their special event, “In Concert with Leadership, A Prelude to New Beginnings.” She praised the organization’s efforts to help realtors and residents impacted by the wildfires.