Georgia Investigating 200 Gas Stations For Price Gouging

The state is investigating 200 gas stations for price gouging in the wake of Hurricanes Gustav and Ike last fall. So far, nine stations across the state have been fined for inflating prices when gas was scarce in September and October. Some of the stations simply have to refund money to customers who can prove with a receipt they bought gas during the gouging, while others have to pay up to $5,000 in fines to the state.

AP
Published: January 9, 2009

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ATLANTA (AP) - The state is investigating 200 gas stations for price gouging in the wake of Hurricanes Gustav and Ike last fall.

So far, nine stations across the state have been fined for inflating prices when gas was scarce in September and October. Some of the stations simply have to refund money to customers who can prove with a receipt they bought gas during the gouging, while others have to pay up to $5,000 in fines to the state.

The state received about 2,000 complaints from residents, some alleging stations charged them as much as $9.99 a gallon. Under state law, businesses have to prove that they were making the same profit with their elevated prices as they were prior to Gov. Sonny Perdue activating the anti-gouging statutes Sept. 12.

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Governor’s Office of Consumer Affairs