VC-Backed Startup Accused of Gouging LA Fire Victims on Rent

A venture capital-backed startup illegally jacked up rents for furnished apartments in Los Angeles — more than 50% in one example — after last month’s wildfires that destroyed thousands of homes, the city attorney’s office alleged in a lawsuit.

Blueground US Inc. violated California’s anti-gouging law, which prohibits rent hikes of more than 10% after a state of emergency is issued, City Attorney Hydee Feldstein Soto said in a statement Tuesday.