The state on Wednesday, April 1, accused an Anchorage man of buying respirators and selling them at “unconscionable prices” online in an effort to profit off concerns with the coronavirus.
The complaint against Juan Lyle Aune alleges violations of a law barring unfair trade and commerce practices. It seeks financial penalties.
Court records did not list an attorney for Aune, and a phone listing tried by The Associated Press did not work.
The complaint alleges Aune generally bought 20-packs of respirators for between $17-$23 from local stores. Between Feb. 10 and March 16, he sold respirators on Amazon at an average price of $89.25, the complaint states and alleges he made other sales on eBay.
Buying respirators from local stores and selling them online for “unconscionable prices during a time of increased necessity and high demand for such respirators offends public policy” and is unethical, the complaint states.
