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The Iowa Attorney General’s Office is suing an Orange City man, accusing him of price gouging in the sale of more than 250 household items like toilet paper and paper towels.
Michael Evan Noteboom, 52, of Orange City, is accused of overcharging for necessary products while ignoring warnings from the attorney general’s office, according to court documents. Gov. Kim Reynolds’ emergency declaration in March in response to COVID-19 triggered the state’s price-gouging rule prohibiting Iowans from unreasonably raising prices on needed goods and services.
According to the lawsuit, on March 22, the attorney general’s office received two complaints of price gouging by eBay vendor “mn65,” which is Noteboom’s username. The allegations in the complaints claimed he was selling a 12-ounce can of Lysol for $65.99, 12-count Angel Soft toilet paper for $86 and Bounty paper towels for $49.99.
An investigation showed that in total, Noteboom allegedly sold 250 household products to buyers in California, Illinois, New York, Michigan, Texas and several other states, according to the lawsuit. The most expensive item was a 12-count package of Bounty paper towels for $119.99.
A warning was sent to him through eBay on March 24. On April 2, the attorney general’s sent Noteboom a letter and email, telling him to cease and desist. However, he failed to respond to the letter, according to the lawsuit.
The attorney general’s office requested a temporary and permanent injunction to stop Noteboom from selling household merchandise.
A hearing for a temporary injunction will be held over teleconference on May 6.
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