Amazon is facing new legal pressure after a group of consumers alleged that the company destroyed documents critical to a class action lawsuit accusing the retailer of price gouging during the COVID-19 pandemic. The allegations were raised in a motion for sanctions filed in federal court, adding another layer of dispute to a case that has been ongoing since 2020. Legal actions like these highlight the importance of accountability in corporate conduct, and individuals impacted by unfair or harmful practices often consult a personal injury lawyer to better understand their legal options.
The consumers argue that Amazon failed to preserve pricing-related records despite knowing litigation was likely, resulting in the loss of evidence tied to pricing practices during the early months of the pandemic.
Motion for Sanctions Filed in Federal Court
On December 8, consumers filed a motion for sanctions against Amazon in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Washington. The motion alleges that Amazon destroyed an untold number of documents that were relevant to the proposed class action.
According to the filing, Amazon did not notify employees of their obligation to preserve pricing related records for months or, in some cases, years after the lawsuit was filed. The records at issue date back to April 2020, a period central to the price gouging allegations.
The consumers argue that the destruction of documents has caused irreversible harm to their ability to fully litigate the case.
Allegations of Spoliation of Evidence
The motion claims that Amazon’s failure to implement timely document preservation measures resulted in the routine deletion of records that were critical to the litigation.
The consumers state that the full scope of what was destroyed may never be known. They argue that this uncertainty itself is prejudicial and forms a basis for spoliation sanctions under federal law.
Spoliation refers to the destruction or alteration of evidence that may be relevant to ongoing or anticipated litigation.
Court Previously Ordered Document Production
The allegations follow a September ruling in which U.S. District Judge Robert S. Lasnik granted a motion compelling Amazon to produce documents from employees involved in handling pricing issues during the pandemic.
At that time, the court reportedly noted that Amazon waited nearly six months after the complaint was filed before informing any employees of the need to preserve pricing related records.
That delay, according to the consumers, allowed key documents to be purged before preservation efforts began.
Missing Records From Key Employees
The motion claims that several employees central to Amazon’s pricing decisions have virtually no documents, emails or internal messages from the most critical time period.
Consumers argue that this lack of records undermines their ability to evaluate Amazon’s internal decision making during the pandemic.
They further claim that Amazon’s inability to provide comprehensive pricing information gives the company an unfair advantage in defending the lawsuit.
Requests Made in the Sanctions Motion
The consumers are asking the court to impose restrictions on how Amazon can present evidence and witnesses.
Specifically, they seek to prevent Amazon from introducing selectively chosen evidence from employees who claim they were not required to preserve records.
They also request that Amazon be barred from calling witnesses to testify about events if related documents that could contradict those statements were deleted.
According to the motion, allowing such testimony would unfairly prejudice the plaintiffs due to the missing evidence.
Background of the Price Gouging Allegations
The class action lawsuit was originally filed in 2020. It alleges that Amazon unlawfully raised prices on certain essential items by more than 1,000 percent during the early stages of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The plaintiffs claim that these price increases occurred at a time when consumers were particularly vulnerable and dependent on online retailers for household necessities.
The case is titled Greenberg et al. v. Amazon.com Inc., Case No. 2:21-cv-00898, and is pending in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Washington.
Legal Representation and Case Status
The plaintiffs are represented by attorneys from Hagens Berman Sobol Shapiro LLP. The firm has been involved in high profile consumer protection litigation and filed the recent sanctions motion on behalf of the proposed class.
Amazon has not publicly detailed its response to the specific allegations raised in the sanctions motion at the time of filing.
The court has not yet ruled on whether sanctions will be imposed.
Broader Implications of the Dispute
The dispute raises broader questions about corporate document retention practices during times of crisis and litigation.
Preservation of records plays a critical role in ensuring fairness during legal proceedings. Allegations of missing or destroyed documents can significantly influence how courts evaluate evidence and credibility.
As the case proceeds, the court’s handling of the sanctions request may shape how evidence is presented and weighed moving forward.
What Happens Next
The judge overseeing the case will review arguments from both sides before determining whether Amazon violated its preservation obligations and whether sanctions are warranted.
Any ruling on the motion could impact the scope of testimony, admissible evidence and the overall trajectory of the class action.
The litigation continues as consumers pursue accountability for alleged pricing practices during the pandemic.
About Ted Law Firm
At Ted Law Firm, closely monitors major class action lawsuits and consumer protection disputes that raise important questions about accountability and corporate conduct.We serve families across Aiken, Anderson, Charleston, Columbia, Greenville, Myrtle Beach, North Augusta and Orangeburg.Contact us today for a free consultation.
