PASADENA, Calif. — Langham Hotels Pacific Corporation has agreed to pay $320,000 to settle a consumer protection lawsuit alleging the company illegally overcharged wildfire victims and other guests at its Pasadena hotel during the January 2025 wildfires and related state of emergency.

The civil lawsuit was brought by the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office and County Counsel’s Office.

Under the settlement, Langham will pay $300,000 in civil penalties and $20,000 in investigative costs. The company must also provide refunds to eligible hotel guests, with at least $216,795 in restitution calculated for overcharges between January and April 2025 alone.

The lawsuit alleged that the Langham Huntington Pasadena charged some guests more than 10% above its regular hotel rates following the declaration of a state of emergency, in violation of California’s anti-price gouging law.

California’s price gouging protections took effect after Gov. Gavin Newsom declared a state of emergency for Los Angeles and Ventura counties on Jan. 7, 2025. Los Angeles County later extended hotel price protections through March 29, 2026.

Eligible guests who stayed at the Pasadena hotel between Jan. 7, 2025, and March 29, 2026, are entitled to refunds for amounts paid above the maximum rate allowed by law.

Langham must also modify automated, algorithmic, or other pricing systems to prevent unlawful price increases during declared emergencies.

Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan J. Hochman said overcharging wildfire victims in urgent need of housing amounted to taking advantage of people during a disaster.

Langham cooperated with the investigation and did not admit liability.