Ralphs Pleads No Contest to Overcharging

SN STAFF

COMPTON, Calif. — Ralphs Grocery Co. here has pleaded no contest to over-charging customers — the third time in the last four years such charges have been made against the Kroger-owned chain.

Last May the Los Angeles City Attorney filed a 59-count criminal complaint against Ralphs and Cincinnati-based Kroger Co., following undercover investigations at 14 Ralphs stores between January and March 2010. The charges included false and misleading advertising; unlawful computation of value; selling lesser quantities of packaged commodities than represented; and false labeling. Additional charges were filed in July for posting prices that were incorrect.

Ralphs indicated in local media the charges involved isolated events. Similar charges against the chain in 2008 and 2009 resulted in fines totaling nearly $17,000.