I was a prosecutor: governor and attorney general warn against scammers price gouging during snow emergency

I was a prosecutor: Governor and Attorney General warn against scammers price gouging during snow emergency

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1 min read
January 24, 2026

New Jersey warns businesses against price gouging as state of emergency declared for winter storm

Trenton, NJ – As a major winter storm bears down on New Jersey, Acting Attorney General Jennifer Davenport and the Division of Consumer Affairs are warning merchants that price gouging during the declared emergency will not be tolerated. The announcement follows Governor Mikie Sherrill’s declaration of a State of Emergency effective at 5 p.m. Saturday.

“As a former prosecutor, my administration will not tolerate price gouging, and we will be vigilant during this winter storm,” said Governor Sherrill. “My Attorney General and I will have zero tolerance for those who prey on New Jerseyans during this state of emergency.”

Under New Jersey law (N.J.S.A. 56:8-107 et seq.), sellers are prohibited from increasing prices by more than 10 percent above their usual rate during a state of emergency or for 30 days after it ends. The law applies to essential goods and services such as food, gasoline, hotel rooms, and generators.

Governor Sherrill said her administration will take a zero-tolerance approach toward anyone attempting to exploit residents during the storm. “My Attorney General and I will have zero tolerance for those who prey on New Jerseyans during this state of emergency,” she said. Acting Attorney General Davenport echoed that warning, stating that violators will face serious consequences.

  • Price gouging banned during and after declared state of emergency
  • Governor Sherrill and AG Davenport pledge strict enforcement
  • Violators face fines up to $20,000 per offense

Acting Division Director Jeremy E. Hollander emphasized that investigators will pursue complaints swiftly to protect consumers. Penalties for violations can reach $10,000 for the first offense and $20,000 for subsequent offenses, with each sale counted as a separate violation.

Consumers who suspect price gouging or disaster-related fraud can contact the Division’s Emergency Hotline at (973) 504-6240 or file a report online at njconsumeraffairs.nj.gov/file-a-complaint.

Phil Stilton

Phil Stilton is the Editor and Publisher of Shore News Network, an independent digital newsroom providing original reporting on New Jersey, national news, government, public policy, public safety, courts, and community affairs.

As founder of the publication, Stilton leads editorial strategy, investigative reporting, and daily newsroom operations while overseeing coverage that reaches millions of readers annually.

With extensive experience covering municipal government, county government, state legislatures, elections, law enforcement, emergency management, and public records, Stilton specializes in translating complex government actions into clear, factual reporting. His work frequently relies on primary source documents, including court filings, legislation, public meeting records, election finance disclosures, government databases, police reports, and Freedom of Information and Open Public Records Act (OPRA) requests. He has reported extensively on local government accountability, taxpayer spending, campaign finance, public corruption investigations, infrastructure, public safety, and the policies affecting New Jersey residents.

Under Stilton's editorial leadership, Shore News Network has grown into one of New Jersey's largest independent digital news organizations, publishing thousands of original news articles each year while providing breaking news coverage, investigative reporting, and analysis across state and local government. The publication's reporting is routinely sourced from official government agencies, public officials, court records, and firsthand documentation, with a commitment to transparency, attribution, corrections when warranted, and clearly distinguishing factual reporting from opinion.

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