Rutledge Warns of Possible Price Gouging During Covid-19 Emergency Declaration The announcement was made Thursday as the state experiences a spike in Covid-19 cases. “Just as we saw in 2020, some people will exploit a crisis by charging astronomical amounts for items like toilet paper and hand sanitizer, but this illegal activity will not be tolerated on my watch,” said Attorney General Rutledge. “Unfortunately, during emergency declarations, we must be diligent and report businesses charging prices for items that appear beyond legal limits.” Attorney General Rutledge released the following tips to avoid price gouging: Know the average price for goods like hand sanitizer, soap and non-perishable food items before purchasing. If it seems too high, ask questions.