New York Attorney General Cracks Down on Rockland County Car Wash for Passover Price Discrimination

In a move to curb discriminatory practices, New York Attorney General Letitia James has taken action against Rockland County's Super 4 Seasons car wash for targeting Jewish customers with inflated prices during Passover preparations. According to a statement from the Office of the Attorney General (OAG), the car wash advertised a so-called "Passover Special," charging more than triple the usual cost for identical cleaning services.

The investigation by the OAG, which commenced in April 2024 after several complaints were lodged, revealed that Super 4 Seasons had been unduly denying Jewish customers access to standard car wash prices. Instead, they were presented with the pricier "Passover Packages." Undercover probes by OAG officials supported these claims, shedding light on the unequal pricing mechanisms at play. Notably, an investigator who posed as an Orthodox Jewish individual was denied regular services and told the car wash was "not doing anything except shampoos and Passover cleanings right now," an interaction that unmasked the duplicitous nature of the establishment's operations, as per OAG release.

In contrast, a non-Jewish OAG investigator was offered standard prices and services and received an employee's admission that the special promotion was essentially "for Jews." This blatant display of religious discrimination prompted Attorney General James to demand that Super 4 Seasons cease all discriminatory practices immediately, a demand backed by a potential $75,000 penalty for non-compliance. “Every New Yorker, regardless of their faith, deserves to be treated fairly and equally. My office will not hesitate to hold businesses accountable when they exploit families’ religious observance.” James stated, as noted by the Attorney General's office.

As part of the resolution, Super 4 Seasons is now prohibited from manipulating its pricing schemes and services during the two months leading up to Passover and must avoid any promotions that imply special pricing for religious holidays. Failure to adapt to these requirements will result in financial repercussions. In an ongoing effort to protect consumers, Attorney General James has also issued a broad consumer alert for Jewish communities, as reported by the OAG release, warning against possible scams related to Passover and stressing that discrimination in any form is a violation of New York law.

The Attorney General's office stands vigilant and encourages anyone who suspects discriminatory practices or believes they may have been overcharged due to their religion, race, or background to step forward and file a complaint through the proper channels.