Ralphs Grocery Facing Criminal Charges, Valley Shoppers React

A seven week investigation into whether or a not a large grocery chain is unfairly overcharging it’s customers has resulted in criminal charges.

The Los Angeles County Department of Weights and Measures conducted undercover test purchases at 14 Ralphs stores in L.A., and in the end, Ralphs and it’s parent company, Kroger, are charged with dozens of Business Code violations, facing more than a half million dollars in fines.

Longtime Ralphs shoppers in the Coachella Valley are stunned by the news.

“I’m surprised,” said Juanita Aydelotte, who is alarmed by the investigation.

Indian Wells resident said, “I wasn’t aware of it.”

“Hopefully, it’s not true,” said Frank Schiro, who has shopped at Ralphs for more than 20 years.

The L.A. City Attorney’s undercover operation only investigated L.A. county stores. But, customers in the valley now wonder if they too were getting overcharged.

“I think it’s unfair,” said Abel Guitierrez, a Food 4 Less Shopper, which is owned by the same company as Ralphs. “Everything’s [already] real high on food and everything.”

“We’ve got three basic kinds of violations,” said Don Cocek, Deputy L.A. City Attorney, who is prosecuting the case.

First, Ralphs is accused of including the ice glaze on frozen food items in the net weight of the product.

“So, the customer’s paying for water,” said Cocek.

The chain was also alledgedly illegally charging customers for the weight of food packages.

“For. . . bulk coffee, which is sold at $10.99 a pound, the customer’s paying $10.99 a pound [and] for the bag that it comes in,” said Cocek.

An inspector purchased a self-service salad at another L.A. store. They later found out that the salad entailed five percent less lettuce and the rest of the vegatables then they had paid for. That’s because the store was charging for the packaging as well.

“I don’t know whether it’d be deceptive or they just simply didn’t realize,” said Aydelotte. “But, they should have realized.”

“I imagine all the major food chains must do the same thing,” said Maris, who believes Ralphs is being scapegoated.

Ralphs and it’s parent company, Kroger, are charged with 59 violations of the Business and Professions Code, including 14 counts of false and misleading advertising.

Ralphs released a statement to News Channel 3 Wednesday that reads, “We take all allegations such as these very seriously. We are conducting our own investigation and will take corrective actions as necessary. Taking care of our customers is our top priority, and we look forward to working with Weights and Measures on this topic.”

“I’m sure if they’ve been charged with something, they’re going to correct it,” said Schiro. “If they don’t, I imagine that they’ll be in trouble down the road.”

Both Ralphs and Kroger are scheduled to be arraigned in June, according to the L.A. City Attorney’s office.