Press Release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Date: 04/12/07

Contact person(s):

Media Coordinator, Donna Edwards - (707) 565-3099 Media Spokesperson, Assistant District Attorney Christine Cook

Santa Rosa, Sonoma County, California

LONGS DRUGS PAYS $1 MILLION TO SETTLE CONSUMER PROTECTION CASE FOR ALLEGED OVERCHARGES OF CALIFORNIA CUSTOMERS

Sonoma County District Attorney Stephan R. Passalacqua announced today that his office, in conjunction with the District Attorneys of Marin, Santa Barbara, and Santa Clara counties, and the City Attorney of San Diego, reached a settlement in a consumer protection case filed against Longs Drug Stores California, Inc., the operator of Longs Drugs stores throughout California. State and local Weights and Measures Inspectors conducted an investigation resulting in a complaint alleging that Longs Drugs violated the law by charging customers more than the lowest posted or advertised price for items. Under the terms of the settlement, Longs agreed, without admitting wrongdoing, to pay $800,000 in civil penalties, $95,000 in restitution, and $105,000 to reimburse the costs of state and local Weights and Measures inspectors.

District Attorney Passalacqua said, "Merchants should know that they must implement and maintain accurate pricing systems because our agencies are working together statewide to protect consumers." Passalacqua reminded consumers to always check receipts to verify that they are charged the correct price for an item.

The stipulated judgment, which was approved by the Marin County Superior Court, provides for the restitution to be paid into two state restitution trust funds for use in investigating and prosecuting consumer protection cases. The judgment also requires that Longs maintain a pricing accuracy program in all of its California stores. The program, which began in January 2006 and will continue through at least 2008, provides customers with free or discounted items if they are overcharged. The "Scan Right" guarantee is posted in every Longs Drugs store in California.

The District Attorney acknowledged the hard work of Weights and Measures officials throughout the state for their vigilant enforcement efforts in the case. Deputy District Attorney Matt Cheever handled the matter for this office.

Consumers in Sonoma County who believe they are the victim of fraud are urged to call the Environmental and Consumer Law Division of the Sonoma County District Attorney’s Office at (707) 565-2311 to file a complaint.