Atty. Generals suing gas gougers

alledan

ARCHBOLD -- Ohio's Attorney General is suing several gas stations around the state, saying they took advantage of the terrorist attacks on New York City and Washington, DC to make a buck. Attorney General Betty Montgomery filed a lawsuit today in Fulton County Common Pleas Court, accusing an Archbold gas station of price gouging. Today's lawsuit was one of 8 that Montgomery has filed around the state.When the terrorist attacks first happened, there were long lines at gas stations all around northwest Ohio and southeast Michigan. Many people panicked, thinking the attacks would lead to oil and gasoline shortages. Some stations raised their prices a few cents, while others raised their prices a few dollars.That's what Montgomery says happened at Archbold Wash 'N Fill. Her lawsuit states the station jacked up its price for regular unleaded gasoline to $4.90 a gallon. Folks we talked to in Archbold are disgusted by the alleged price gouging. One motorist we talked to said, "They're crooks. I don't think that's right. For the situation we're in, they shouldn't have did that." Another motorist agreed, saying, "I feel they were trying to take advantage of a very serious situation and hoping people would pay the prices because they were afraid there wouldn't be gas to get around,"The day of the attacks, oil companies stepped in, freezing prices. They also said supply was plentiful, and would not be interrupted. Gas prices since the attacks have gone down a few cents. Attorney General Montgomery's lawsuit asks that the Archbold gas station pay a $25,000 dollar fine and reimburse any customer who may have filled up at $4.90 a gallon.Michigan's Attorney General has also vowed to go after gas stations that dramatically raised prices after the attacks. The Michigan Legislature is now considering a law that would make it a felony to dramatically raise prices in an emergency situation.GOOD! Maybe this will catch on all around the country!