Price gouging

11/16/2007 -- BOSTON – Senator John Kerry today wrote a letter to Federal Trade Commission (FTC) asking it to investigate to determine if there has been price gouging at gas stations in Western Massachusetts.

Kerry’s request comes after hearing from North Adams Mayor John Barrett of various instances of manipulation throughout the region.    » read more »

November 06, 2007 -- Kentucky Attorney General Greg Stumbo's price gouging case seeking $89 million in damages from Marathon Oil is moving through state court. Franklin Circuit Court Judge Tom Wingate today entered an Agreed Order directing Marathon to answer outstanding discovery requests by November 19, 2007.    » read more »

October 24, 2007 -- LOS ANGELES -- California Attorney General Edmund G. Brown Jr. today announced that the Department of Justice is prepared to investigate and prosecute businesses that attempt to “wrongfully profit” from the devastating fires that have swept Southern California.

“It is illegal to exploit the state of emergency for personal gain,” said Brown.    » read more »

October 03, 2007 -- A Federal court today ruled that Kentucky Attorney General Greg Stumbo’s $89 million lawsuit against Marathon Oil and Speedway SuperAmerica can proceed in state court.

The Order, issued by Judge Karen Caldwell, rejected Marathon’s efforts to remove the landmark case to Federal court. The Order also upholds Attorney General Stumbo’s authority to protect consumers, saying, “Kentucky’s statutes clearly authorize him to bring this action on behalf of the state.” Order, p.11.    » read more »

Governor’s disaster declaration triggers AG’s price-gouging authority

September 14, 2007 -- BEAUMONT – Texas Attorney General Greg Abbott today warned Gulf Coast residents to be wary of price gouging, charity scams and other fraudulent attempts to bilk consumers in the aftermath of Hurricane Humberto.    » read more »

August 27, 2007 -- Springfield, Mo. — Springfield-area residents and businesses that used Sechler Electric Inc. for electrical inspections or repairs after the January ice storms may be eligible for restitution or reduced bills, Missouri Attorney General Jay Nixon said today. Nixon’s office has reached an agreement with Sechler Electric, located at 1925 E. Phelps in Springfield, to resolve the Attorney General’s concerns that the company charged some consumers service rates that were substantially above the pre-storm market rate.    » read more »

August 27, 2007 -- Chicago - Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan today urged homeowners and businesses that suffered damages as a result of severe storms and flooding to protect themselves from unscrupulous businesses that may try to exploit natural disasters for profit.

“My office is monitoring the situation and people can be assured that we will follow up on legitimate consumer complaints,” Madigan said.    » read more »

August 24, 2007 -- SAN FRANCISCO - The 9th Circuit Court of Appeals today issued a key decision that requires the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) to reconsider its refusal to grant energy crisis refunds—which could potentially return $1.3 billion to California ratepayers. The California Attorney General had asked the court to reverse FERC’s refusal to grant refunds after ratepayers suffered massive price-gouging on short-term energy purchased in the Pacific Northwest during the energy crisis of 2001.    » read more »

August 16, 2007 -- OLYMPIA -- Washington Attorney General Rob McKenna today released the first phase of Washington’s 2007 gas prices investigation.

McKenna announced in April 2007 he was teaming up with Gov. Chris Gregoire and the state Department of Community, Trade and Economic Development to conduct the investigation based on strong public and private concern about escalating gas prices and the need for new research to help explain factors that influence Washington’s gas prices.    » read more »

July 10, 2007 -- Recent flooding in Southeast Kansas has increased allegations of price gouging. Kansas Attorney General Paul Morrison again today cautioned consumers to be on the lookout for price gouging and other scams in these disaster areas. He also warns businesses that unconscionable pricing practices will be investigated and prosecuted.    » read more »

Price gouging, contractor, charity ploys are common in the aftermath of a storm

June 27, 2007 -- FORT WORTH – Texas Attorney General Greg Abbott today warned North Texas residents to be wary of price gouging and fraudulent attempts to bilk homeowners and other consumers in the aftermath of recent storms.    » read more »

SB 118 establishes the first anti-price gouging bill, SB 117 enforces the “Do Not Call List” and SB 122 stops promotional checks that cause payment when cashed

June 18, 2007 -- Salem – Today Oregon Governor Ted Kulongoski was joined by Attorney General Hardy Myers to sign three pieces of legislation that complement the Governor’s consumer protection package, which will strengthen the tools of the executive branch and individual Oregonians to protect themselves and their families from unfair business practices.    » read more »

Attorney General warns about price gouging, identity theft; reminds Floridians of services available during recovery

June 1, 2007 -- TALLAHASSEE, FL – Recognizing the first day of the 2007 Hurricane Season, Florida Attorney General Bill McCollum today issued a consumer advisory calling on residents and visitors alike to be aware of the dangers the storm season can bring and urging Floridians to make necessary preparations well in advance.    » read more »

May 23, 2007 -- Washington, D.C.- Speaker Nancy Pelosi released the following statement this afternoon on H.R. 1252, the Federal Price Gouging Prevention Act of 2007, which passed the House by a vote of 284 to 141 today, despite a veto threat from the Bush Administration:

“This Memorial Day, American families and businesses are yet again paying record prices for gasoline. With high gasoline prices this year already costing consumers and our economy an extra $20 billion, families are feeling a serious drain on their pocketbooks.    » read more »

Warns of Attack on Kentucky’s Emergency Powers

May 24, 2007 -- Kentucky Attorney General Greg Stumbo today filed additional pleadings in federal court supporting the 89 million dollar gas price gouging suit filed against Marathon Petroleum Company and Speedway SuperAmerica by the Commonwealth of Kentucky two weeks ago.    » read more »