NEW YORK — New York Attorney General Letitia James has shut down a discriminatory pricing scheme run by Super 4 Seasons, a car wash in Rockland County, that targeted Jewish customers during Passover. The company advertised and charged inflated rates for “Passover Specials,” violating state anti-discrimination laws and exploiting religious observance for profit.
The Attorney General’s Office found that Super 4 Seasons charged Jewish customers $169 for services normally priced at $47. These services were pushed specifically to those preparing for Passover, when many Jewish families deep-clean their homes and vehicles to remove chametz, or leavened products. Standard services were withheld or falsely advertised as unavailable.
“Targeting Jewish New Yorkers with deceptive pricing around Passover is a clear act of religious discrimination and will not be tolerated,” said James. “Every New Yorker, regardless of their faith, deserves to be treated fairly and equally.”
The investigation began in April 2024 after several consumer complaints. James’s office deployed undercover investigators, interviewed victims, and analyzed thousands of sales records. Evidence showed this pricing tactic had been ongoing since at least 2018.
Undercover testing revealed clear bias. An investigator dressed in traditional Orthodox Jewish clothing was told only the “Passover Package” was available. The employee reportedly said, “We are doing this just for you guys.” Another undercover agent not dressed in Orthodox attire was offered standard-priced services without issue. A staff member told him, “It’s for Jews,” justifying the higher cost by claiming their cars are “so dirty.”
This two-tier pricing strategy was not only misleading but illegal. The company’s signage falsely claimed that only Passover Packages were available, creating the illusion of exclusivity and necessity. Sales data confirmed that regular services continued to be offered to non-Jewish customers throughout the same period.
The Attorney General’s Office swiftly took action. Super 4 Seasons must now stop all discriminatory promotions and is barred from advertising any religiously linked pricing in the future. The business is prohibited from raising prices or limiting services based on religious holidays for the two months leading up to Passover and during the holiday itself. If it violates the order, it will face a $75,000 penalty.
This case sends a strong message to businesses across the state: discriminatory pricing based on religion will not be ignored. The ruling reinforces consumer protections and New York’s strict anti-discrimination laws.
Attorney General James also issued a broader consumer alert to Jewish communities across New York. She urged vigilance in the face of rising scams during Passover, particularly those involving food, car washes, cleaning services, and accommodations. The alert emphasized that it is illegal under state law to charge different prices or limit services based on religion.
Anyone who believes they’ve experienced discrimination is encouraged to file a complaint online or call the Attorney General’s hotline at 1-800-771-7755.
The case was handled by a dedicated team within the Attorney General’s Office. Hate Crimes and Bias Prevention Section Chief Rick Sawyer, Assistant Attorneys General Rachel Finn and Andy Aujla, and Research Analyst Heather-Destiny Konan led the legal and investigative efforts. The case was supervised by Civil Rights Bureau Chief Sandra Park and Deputy Bureau Chief Travis England.
Investigators Liam Cassidy and Andy Rodriguez conducted the undercover work under the direction of Supervising Investigator Cynthia Kane. Their findings were critical to confirming the company’s discriminatory behavior. The Civil Rights Bureau is part of the Division for Social Justice, led by Chief Deputy Attorney General Meghan Faux. The Westchester Regional Office, which played a supporting role, is under the Division of Regional Affairs, overseen by Deputy Attorney General Jill Faber. All operations were coordinated by First Deputy Attorney General Jennifer Levy.
This is not the first time Attorney General James has targeted discriminatory business practices. Her office has built a reputation for aggressive enforcement of civil rights laws, particularly in cases involving hate, bias, or religious targeting. The Super 4 Seasons case adds to a growing list of actions intended to ensure all New Yorkers can engage in commerce without fear of exploitation or prejudice.
The timing of the investigation was key. With Passover approaching, the need to prevent similar scams was urgent. The swift response not only protected consumers but also served as a warning to businesses tempted to engage in similar schemes.
Super 4 Seasons’ actions represent a blatant exploitation of religious tradition for profit. By disguising inflated prices as “holiday specials,” the business misled and discriminated against a specific community. That’s not just bad business — it’s illegal.
New York law is clear: pricing discrimination based on religion is prohibited. And as this case demonstrates, enforcement is active and unapologetic.
The broader implication of this case is also clear. Religious observance is not an opportunity for profit manipulation. Businesses that attempt to use cultural or religious practices as a loophole for price gouging will be held accountable.
As New Yorkers prepare for religious holidays, the Attorney General’s Office remains alert. The public is encouraged to report any suspicious pricing, religious discrimination, or deceptive practices. Those reports matter — and as this case shows, they get results.
Attorney General James summed up the state’s stance best: “My office will not hesitate to hold businesses accountable when they exploit families’ religious observance.”
Mathew Alvarez joined Rockland Daily News as a reporter in March 2020, but he’s no stranger to Rockland County. He grew up in New City and graduated from Ball State’s College of Communication, Information, and Media.
