Attorney General Liz Murrill wins permanent injunction against Florida-based tree company

BATON ROUGE, La. (WGNO) — Attorney General Liz Murrill won a permanent injunction against Florida-based tree company, Joiner’s Tree Service, L.L.C., on Sept. 9 from collecting over $100,000 from a price gouging lawsuit.

According to officials from the attorney general’s office, the injunction prohibits the tree company and its owner, Jeffrey Darren Joiner, from “contracting, soliciting, advertising and conducting” any business or tree-related services in Louisiana.

Based on the Court ruling, Joiner violated the Louisiana Unfair Trade Practices and Consumer Protection Law and the Price Gouging law. He must pay $25,000 in penalties.

In addition to this, Joiner will not be able to collect any unpaid invoices or remaining payments, amassing $126,120 from Louisiana consumers and their insurers for tree removal services done after Hurricane Ida.

In the aftermath of Hurricane Ida, Joiner and his company came to Louisiana to “solicit tree removal business and profit from Louisiana consumers,” according to the attorney general’s office.

“Price Gouging during an emergency is illegal and will not be tolerated in Louisiana,” Murrill said. “It is especially offensive for companies or individuals to target our people at a time of loss and vulnerability. We will hold them accountable.”

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