California files post-LA fires price-gouging case against Beverly Hills landlord

California Attorney General Rob Bonta on Tuesday announced charges against a real estate agent accused of raising rent on a Beverly Hills property by 30% in violation of state law prohibiting price-gouging after a disaster.

The tenants who signed the lease were displaced because of the deadly Palisades Fire, which ignited in January.

Iman Eshaghyan faces two misdemeanor counts for allegedly advertising, listing and eventually renting two properties at a cost that exceeds the limit. If convicted, the maximum penalty is a $10,000 fine and up to a year in jail, prosecutors said.

Bonta said in a statement that he and his office would not stand for price-gouging in the wake of the fires.

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“I urge current or prospective tenants to share their stories directly with local authorities like the L.A. City Attorney or L.A. District Attorney,” he said.

Eshaghyan declined to comment on the charges. He told LAist he would have his attorney reach out instead. LAist will update the story when that happens.

According to his LinkedIn profile, he is listed as being in the top 1% of sales associates at Coldwell Banker Commercial, a popular real estate franchise.

How we got here

After the devastating January fires in Southern California, Gov. Gavin Newsom issued an emergency declaration. State law prohibits rent increases of more than 10% on rental properties in the wake of an emergency or disaster.

Residents affected by the fires were thrust into a rental market that already struggled to meet the demand for affordable housing.

These aren’t the first price gouging charges the state attorney general has announced so far this year. Bonta filed charges against three real estate agents in January and February.

Those agents have denied the charges.

L.A. City Attorney Hydee Feldstein Soto in February also announced misdemeanor price gouging charges against a homeowner and real estate agent who allegedly engaged in price gouging. They, too, deny the charges.

How to report price gouging

The California Attorney General's Office advises that residents visit the state's website, oag.ca.gov/LAfires, or call (800) 952-5225.

Your complaint can include screenshots of all correspondence including conversations, text messages, direct messages, and voicemails.

Here's what to include:

• Evidence that shows what prices you were offered, when and by whom.
• First and last names of realtors, listing agents or business owners you spoke to.
• Phone numbers, email addresses, home and business addresses, websites and social media accounts.