Real estate agent charged in alleged price gouging of Eaton Fire victims [Video]

LA CANADA FLINTRIDGE, Calif. (CNS) — A real-estate agent is facing a criminal charge for allegedly attempting to price gouge a couple who lost their home in the Eaton Fire, officials announced.

The investigation into Mike Kobeissi began when a complaint was filed with the California Department of Justice after the couple tried to rent a home after the governor’s emergency order, which protects fire victims from price gouging, went into effect on Jan. 7, state Attorney General Rob Bonta said.

The DOJ has also sent at least 500 warning letters to hotels and landlords who have been accused of price gouging. In addition, the office has more active criminal investigations into price gouging underway, Bonta said.

“As I have said repeatedly, the price gouging must stop,” the AG said in a statement. “Today, we are …