Attorney General files petition to compel Richmond business to provide information in water crisis price gouging investigation

RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC) -- The Office of Attorney General Jason Miyares has filed a petition to compel a Richmond business to provide information in connection with an investigation after it was accused of illegally inflating prices of water during January's Richmond area water crisis.

This petition, announced on Monday, May 19, was filed in Richmond City Circuit Court to compel JATTI LLC, which operates Manchester Market, to comply with a Civil Investigative Demand, which is a type of administrative subpoena used to obtain information for an investigation.

The investigation stems from the Richmond area water crisis in early January, during which a winter storm and subsequent malfunction at the city's water treatment plant caused thousands of residents in the area to be without water -- and to be placed on a boil water notice -- for roughly a week.

Governor Glenn Youngkin issued a state of emergency before that winter storm, a period during which it is illegal for retailers in Virginia to charge consumers inflated prices for necessities, such as water.

After receiving consumer complaints alleging that Manchester Market charged "unconscionable prices" for bottled water during a declared state of emergency, the Office of the Attorney General said it attempted to voluntarily receive information from Manchester Market to investigate.

When the business reportedly failed to produce the necessary information, the Office of the Attorney General issued a Civil Investigative Demand on March 21, requiring the business to provide documents regarding its pricing practices during the emergency period.

The office said Manchester Market has still not responded to or provided the requested information.

The petition reportedly asks the court to enforce the demand and order Manchester Market to provide all documents and information related to the Attorney General’s investigation.

The office said the investigation is being conducted under the Virginia Consumer Protection Act and the Virginia Post-Disaster Anti-Price Gouging Act.

During the water crisis, 8News discovered a different store located in Henrico County -- Rocketts Market on Old Main Street -- that was selling 24-packs of water for $20, prompting residents to become concerned about price gouging.

The full petition to enforce the Civil Investigative Demand against Manchester Market is available below: