September 17, 2008

LANSING - Attorney General Mike Cox today announced that his office is questioning more than a dozen gas station owners identified as having dramatically raised their prices in the 24 hours surrounding Hurricane Ike's landfall in Texas on Friday.

"Last week, I put station owners on notice that my office would carefully scrutinize unexpectedly high gas prices," said Cox.  "This week, I am calling for more information and explanation from stations which had the largest increases."

Cox's office today sent letters to 16 gas stations demanding detailed information regarding retail pricing, wholesale costs, supplies and other data in the hours surrounding the arrival of Hurricane Ike.  The Attorney General's office will use this data to determine if the standards for price gouging under the Michigan Consumer Protection Act have been met.

"If any station is deemed to have violated Michigan's price gouging law, I will move swiftly to prosecute them," Cox said.  

Station owners have two weeks to provide the requested documentation.  Those found guilty of gouging face penalties up to $25,000.

During the hurricane, Cox worked with the Governor's office, Michigan State Police, and local law enforcement to monitor prices and kept his consumer protection office open throughout the weekend.  Since that time, over 1,000 consumers have contacted the office.  Cox especially praised the efforts of the Michigan State Police for their special cooperative efforts. 

Consumers are encouraged to report allegations of price gouging to the Attorney General's Consumer Protection Division at 1-877-765-8388 or online at www.michigan.gov/ag.  Consumers are also encouraged to keep all receipts if they believe they were victims of price gouging.

-30-