Julie A. Adkins | Seneca County
Julie A. Adkins | Seneca County
Seneca County Auditor Julie A. Adkins has announced the beneficiaries of settlement funds from a 2023 legal action against Dollar General. The lawsuit, led by Attorney General David Yost, resulted in $750,000 being directed to county-level food pantries following pricing discrepancies.
A press release from Seneca County disclosed that an investigation had uncovered pricing discrepancies at individual stores ranging from 16% to 88%, significantly exceeding the 2% error limit mandated by Ohio law. As a result of Attorney General David Yost's lawsuit against Dollar General, a $1 million settlement was reached. Despite denying any wrongdoing, Dollar General is now obliged under the settlement terms to implement improved pricing practices. These include maintaining updated shelf prices, adhering to displayed prices, and promptly correcting errors within 24 hours. District Managers are also required to conduct spontaneous price checks at least every 45 days.
In a press release from Attorney General Yost, it was noted that Dollar General, a Tennessee-based household goods retailer, has been operating in Ohio since 2015 and currently runs 943 stores statewide. Yost stated: "Everything we buy these days costs more – Ohioans can ill-afford businesses that draw people in with the promise of low prices only to deceive them at the checkout counter. This seems like a company trying to make an extra buck and hoping no one will notice. We've not only noticed but are taking action to stop it."
According to another press release from Seneca County, Yost has directed $750,000 from the Dollar General settlement towards county-level food pantries. This allows local auditors such as Adkins to allocate funds to organizations like Pantry Plus and FISH of Tiffin. This targeted distribution ensures that communities affected by the pricing discrepancies directly benefit and underscores local support during times of increased need while acknowledging collaborative efforts in holding corporations accountable for fair pricing practices.
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