Northeast Queens Duo Charged With Price Gouging Face Masks: DA

WHITESTONE, QUEENS — Two men were arrested on price-gouging charges for selling surgical masks for nearly five times their normal price at a Whitestone grocery store, the Queens District Attorney's Office said Friday.

Bayside resident Jung Soo Lee and College Point resident Tae Kyong Kim stand accused of selling undercover detectives a box of two KF94 masks for $10 and a box of 10 KN95 masks for $45 at Raspberry Farm, a grocery store on 14th Avenue in Whitestone, according to prosecutors.

Police searching the store found invoices showing that the grocers paid $30 for the KN95 masks they sold for $45, and that they were charging $39 for boxes of 50 disposable masks that they bought for $24, prosecutors said.

Prosecutors charged the duo with violating an emergency order by the NYC Department of Consumer and Worker Protection that bars price increases of more than 10 percent for goods and services that are essential during the outbreak of the new coronavirus.

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New Yorkers are required to wear face coverings when they are outside and cannot stay at least six feet apart from others.

Face masks typically cost one dollar each, according to the Queens District Attorney's Office.

"The individuals charged in this case put profits over the health of their fellow New Yorkers by charging exorbitant fees for face masks that could save people’s lives," NYPD Commissioner Dermot Shea said. "These arrests should serve as a warning: the NYPD is vigilant in investigating those who prey on New Yorkers and attempt to financially benefit during the pandemic."

New Yorkers are encouraged to report price gouging of needed personal protective equipment to the Queens District Attorney's Office by calling 718-286-6673.

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