BOSTON – A Massachusetts automobile dealership illegally charged Black and Hispanic prospects lots of of {dollars} extra for distant starters, paint safety and different add-on merchandise than it did for white prospects, the state legal professional basic’s workplace stated in a lawsuit introduced Monday.
The grievance filed in Essex Superior Courtroom alleges that Jaffarian Service Inc. engaged in unfair, misleading, and discriminatory pricing practices in violation of the state’s Shopper Safety Act and the Public Lodging Regulation, which prohibits race discrimination.
“Buying a automobile is already a big monetary resolution for a lot of households and people – the very last thing they need to be anxious about is unfairly paying extra for a product due to their race or nationwide origin,” Lawyer Common Maura Healey stated in an announcement.
Haverhill-based Jaffarian, which sells Volvos and Toyotas, seems to have charged Black and Hispanic prospects, on common, about $500 extra and $400 extra respectively for add-on merchandise than white prospects, the grievance alleges.
The gross sales follow resulted in additional than $170,000 in improper earnings for the dealership in a two- 12 months interval, the grievance alleges.
The go well with seeks restitution for affected prospects.
In an announcement, Jaffarian stated it has by no means acquired a grievance from any prospects. “We emphatically deny the allegations on this lawsuit and have been cooperating absolutely with the Lawyer Common’s Workplace since they first contacted us,” Jaffarian’s legal professional, Christopher J. Marino stated.
