New York State Attorney General Letitia James’ office has concluded an investigation launched last April into what she describes as an alleged scam by a Rockland County car wash. James’ office had received several complaints that the Super 4 Seasons car wash in Spring Valley was charging Jewish customers $169 for a service that otherwise was available for only $47.
Investigators from James’ office determined that the car wash advertised a “Passover Special” cleaning promotion that targeted Jewish customers. In the days leading up to the celebration of the holiday Passover, many Jewish families conduct special cleanings of homes, cars and other property to be sure they do not contain any leavening agents.
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James described her investigation as finding that Super 4 Seasons persistently posted promotional signs advertising that only “Passover Packages & Up” were available, falsely claiming that standard services were not offered ahead of Passover. When an investigator dressed in traditional Orthodox Jewish clothing inquired about standard pricing, he was told the car wash is “not doing anything except shampoos and Passover cleanings right now.”
However, when another investigator who was not wearing Orthodox Jewish clothing asked Super 4 Seasons for the standard services, he was offered and sold standard-priced services. When he inquired about the promotion, an employee responded that it was “for Jews,” adding that they needed to pay more “because their cars are so dirty.”
James’ office says it is requiring Super 4 Seasons to immediately stop promoting or offering any discriminatory car wash special. According to James’ office, Super 4 Seasons is prohibited from charging Jewish customers more than other customers for the same car wash services and is not allowed to change its pricing or limit available services in the two months leading up to and during Passover. James’ office said that if Super 4 Seasons fails to adhere to the terms, it will be required to pay a penalty of up to $75,000.
“Targeting Jewish New Yorkers with deceptive pricing around Passover is a clear act of religious discrimination and will not be tolerated,” James said. “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.”
