Ohio Sues Chagrin Falls Man for Hoarding, Price Gouging on Thousands of N95 Masks

Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost today announced the state of Ohio has filed a lawsuit against a Chagrin Falls man for hoarding thousands of N95 masks and selling them at an exorbitant markup during the pandemic crisis.

Mario Salwan and unnamed co-conspirators operated an eBay store under the account name of "Donkey476" where they were hawking 10-packs of N95 masks for more than $350 apiece. At least 15 customers bought the masks at that price, Yost said in a statement, and Salwan had acquired thousands of masks in the past month as the state of Ohio and hospitals struggled with limited PPE supplies.

A healthcare worker brought the posting to the attention of the AG's office after asking the account to consider a lower price for frontline workers. “You and your husband should work for free during this crisis, you are greedy!” Salwan replied to the nurse.

The 1,700-percent markup, as well as the vast quantities acquired, qualify as violations of Ohio's Valentine Act (in restraining trade) and Consumer Sales Practices Act (in price gouging during a national emergency), the lawsuit argues.

Read more: https://www.clevescene.com/scene-and-heard/archives/2020/04/14/ohio-sues-chagrin-falls-man-for-hoarding-price-gouging-on-thousands-of-n95-masks