> Why are we taking this whole “the $5k fine is nothing” thing at face value?

Because the current country's idea of fines against egregious business practices mainly amounts to a 5% fine of the profit they defrauded those against.

It turns a punatative action into a "cost of doing business". Look at right now with Dollar General - 25% of their goods are priced higher at register, defrauding people. And what can be done? Leave. Because many states are completely ineffectual in strongly attacking this.

And although North Carolina caps inspection fines to $5k, how many times were they even inspected? And were any fines even submitted?

My guess is no.