Three Westchester gas stations are being cited for price gouging by the state Attorney General”™s office in the wake of Hurricane Sandy.
Enforcement proceedings are being brought against the Shell on Crompond Road in Cortlandt Manor, which charged $5 a gallon, the Mobil on Westchester Avenue in White Plains, which charged $5.05 a gallon, and the Mobil on the Hutchinson River Parkway, which charged $5.03 a gallon.
“Our office has zero tolerance for price gouging and we are taking action to send a message that ripping off New Yorkers is against the law,” said Attorney General Eric Schneiderman in a press release. “We will do everything we can to stop unscrupulous individuals from taking advantage of New Yorkers trying to rebuild their lives.”
New York State”™s Price Gouging Law prohibits merchants from taking unfair advantage of consumers by selling goods or services for an “unconscionably excessive price” during an “abnormal disruption of the market.”
The price gouging law covers New York State vendors, retailers and suppliers, including but not limited to supermarkets, gas stations, hardware stores, bodegas, delis, and taxi and livery cab drivers.
Thirteen gas stations were cited statewide. Schneiderman said that this is just an initial round of notices and that there will be others as they continue our investigation into the complaints they have received.
